"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24).

What kind of reading would you get on your faith meter today? Is your faith level sagging? Does your faith suffer when it lacks emotional reinforcement? Do you find that your own insecurities, doubts and residual scars from past disappointments restrict your faith today?

It is not enough to register a 2 out of a possible 10 on the faith meter. Part of God's salvaging process in our lives is to restore us to living in the 'full assurance of faith' (Hebrews 10:22). Without faith it is impossible to please God or function as a partner in His heavenly calling (Hebrews 11:6, 3:1).

The Lord is mindful of our tendencies towards unbelief. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that God bestows blessings to us on a legal rather than whimsical basis. He mercifully gives us His promises in the form of a covenant. He does this so we might apprehend them more easily.

A covenant is legal documentation spelling out terms for the dispensing of special benefits to qualifying persons. God who is sovereign and could do whatever He pleases, voluntarily restricts His freedom to terms that are legally binding. His name depends upon Him fulfilling these promises.

The new covenant is a great confidence builder for those of fluctuating faith. We are assured that God bestows His promised blessings upon us, not because He 'feels' merciful or gracious but because He is righteous and faithfully honors the terms of the covenant made with His Son.

An old pop song began, "How can I be sure, in a world that's constantly changing. How can I be sure where I stand with you?" God's answer to this question is the new covenant. It does not change. It is called the everlasting covenant (Hebrews 13:20) and is designed to bring us to full assurance of faith.

Jesus has fulfilled all the fine print conditions that guarantee that this covenant is of legal effect. The promised blessings are: the forgiveness of sins; the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus who fulfills righteousness; and the inner knowledge of the Lord (Galatians 3:14; Romans 8:3-4; Jeremiah 31:31-34). The new covenant (a last will and testament) elaborates that the terms of blessing are activated upon the FACT of the death of the testator (Hebrews 9:16,17). The New Testament therefore is inaugurated by the death of Christ, the shedding of His blood on the Cross. We can claim the promises with the conviction of legal entitlement.

Jesus rose from the dead to be the Mediator and Advocate of this New Covenant. By His Spirit and His Word, He encourages us to lay claim to the full inheritance that has been legally set aside for us.

Resting assured in what has legally been claimed on our behalf,