The Difference between God’s Promise and Covenant.
Abraham’s steps in life show the functions of 3 Spiritual Elements:-
1.) Favour – Psalm 102:13
When Abram’s lifestyle pleased God, God decided to pay him a visit. This is called Favour, Genesis 12:1. He visited Abram and told him the step to take to change his life for good.
2.) Promise – 2 Peter 1:4
God’s visit of Favour to Abram continued with His release of Promises to Abram to make him a great nation, a great name, and a great blessing to all the peoples on earth, Genesis 12:2,3.
A Promise from God is simply an Invitation. It is an opportunity presented to us to partner with Him so that we can stop living in the natural and begin to live in the Supernatural; to be able to achieve in 1 year what we can only humanly do in 10 years.
3.) Covenant – Deuteronomy 7:9
Covenant is only triggered when we answer Yes to the Promise/Invitation of God. “He keeps His Covenant with those who (1) love Him and (2) keep His commandments!”
Genesis 12:4 – Abram stepped into his covenant when he left Haran as God had directed him to do. The result of that Covenant walk with God is seen in Genesis 13:2 – “Abram had become very wealthy in cattle, silver and gold.” Outside of Covenant, the struggle continues!
The Difference Between Promise and Covenant:-
A.) A Promise is a pledge/assurance to do something for another person. The attention here is on the person making the Promise, not on the one obtaining the Promise. It is single partied.
A Covenant is a laid down agreement between 2 or more parties. Each party has a role to play, with responsibilities and obligations to be addressed.
B.) A Promise is an Invitation for Partnership; a Covenant is a sealed deal!
C.) In a Promise, one party plays an active role and the other is passive. In a Covenant, both parties are active.
D.) A Covenant is consequential; a Promise may not be.
One of the ways God speeds up the liftings in our lives is by suspending the natural laws of life for us (Genesis 21:1,2). That way is called COVENANT! There is no economic situation in the world that can break the validity of Covenant with God!