A promising runner joined Jo’s cross country team, but she didn’t have what she needed to move from a team member to a champion. She needed special spiked shoes for competition courses and knew she would have to do her best without them. But the coach saw her promise, and because she is one of his own, he found a way to equip her with what she needs.
When we’re in covenant, we benefit from being identified with each other. We take on the identity of our covenant partner, so we share each other’s joys and hardships. We are never alone again.
When the son of the King and the son of a servant met after the slaying of Goliath, something amazing happened. “The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself … Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself” (1 Sam. 18:1-5). As a symbol of the relationship, Jonathan took off his kingly robe and armor and placed them on the once-servant David, transferring his identity to his friend. It was an act of love, coming with benefits and responsibilities.
As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt. And David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war. And this was good in the sight of all the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants.
If we enter into covenant relationship with God, we clothe ourselves in Christ’s robes (Gal. 3:26-27). We lay aside/take off the old identity and put on the new robe (Rom. 13:11-14). How foolish if we were to try and put on a new robe, without taking off the old one first. (Col. 3:1-10, Eph. 4:20-24).
To welcome us into a covenant relationship with Him, Jesus put on our dirty robes and allowed us, the undeserving servant, to identify with him. He took on flesh and humbled Himself to do it, because He loves us as Himself (Phil. 2:5-8). David must’ve been overwhelmed at being loved and chosen, and we should be too! When Christ willingly united with us, He became our Protector, our Defender, our Deliverer, our Provider. What confidence that gives me! Just like Jonathan gave David his armor, Christ has given us His armor to protect and defend us and help us stand firm:
Full Armor =
- Belt of truth
- Breastplate of righteousness
- Gospel of peace for our feet
- Shield of faith
- Helmet of salvation
- Sword of the Spirit. (Eph. 6:10-17)
Our covenant God has equipped us with all we need for living in covenant with Him. This love gift helps us to live like the daughter of the King, instead of the unknown servant we once were. Because we are His, He’ll make sure we have what we need, that we are protected, and that we’re never alone again.It makes me want to live to reflect my covenant God, to display the “robe” He has put on me.
How does your life display your new identity given to you by Christ?
What have you taken off to become a new creation in covenant with God?
