Before the Beginning

"Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. For your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant." Psalms 25:8-14 ESV

It's interesting. Some people see God's methods as loving and God's faithfulness in each situation and others don't see it. These verse link that perspective to those that keep His 'covenant' and remember the 'testimonies' of God. Then later it says that God makes that 'covenant' known to those that are in awe of Him and are in a friendship oriented relationship with Him.

What covenant, or contractual agreement, is this? Is it the one given to Abraham, or David, or to Moses? Yes, He gave promises to these men and they were binding ones that God has kept. We may look in awe at these historical events, testimonies, and through them see God's heart of love but will they alone change our minds?

I think we must go back to the root in order to say 'all the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness'.

"Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." John 17:24 NKJV

"He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you" 1 Peter 1:20 NKJV

"Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love" Ephesians 1:4 NKJV

This promise produces awe in me. This reveals an intimacy between the Father and the Son that includes each individual. The Trinity made a deal with us in mind before the world existed and every action God has made since is in accordance with that promise.

It has to be grace! No other way is possible. When this deal was forged no one had done anything good or bad yet.

Friendship with God lies right here in this knowledge. True perspective begins here... before the beginning.

God is going to seem impersonal to people that don't see the root of all promises. How can two walk together unless they agree?

His way is a loving way. We can walk on a loving path with an expectation of God's faithfulness today.

The glow on Moses' face had to be hidden from those who lived in a covenant that did not comprehend the root of all promises.

Humility is the way today. The humility of person astonished by grace produces a life filled with light that others can see. They must avert their eyes not to see it. It is a pre-creation light that those who are friends with God have.