Job 31:1-4 – “I made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I entertain thoughts against a virgin?  ² What then would be one’s lot from God above, one’s heritage from the Almighty on high?  ³ Is it not misfortune for the unjust, and disaster for those who work iniquity?  ⁴ Does he not see my ways and count all my steps?”

We often think of covenant in superficial terms.  However, God considers it of paramount importance.    He is the Covenant making and keeping creator of all things.    In the Western World and in much of the modern world, we have replaced covenant with negotiated contract.    In doing so, we have diminished the value of our word and placed the self at the pinnacle of our world.

In Job 31:1, Job makes an interesting declaration: “I made a covenant with my eyes…”   If we make this about lust or physical attraction, we miss the point.   He gave an example, but only to illustrate the content of his character and commitment.   In verse 4, he brings that revelation home, saying, “Does He (God) not see my ways and count my steps?”

Job was aware of the omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence of God.  He hears and sees everything.   He even counts my steps and makes a note of every detail of my life.   It is recorded, and He evaluates my commitment to covenant.

Job’s making covenant with his eyes reflects his valuation of God’s desires and demands.  God is his confidence, source, and hope.   It is not the hope of money but God’s faithfulness that motivates and gives him security.   In verses 29-30, he reflects God’s heart, warning of the danger and damage of hate.

The Book of James is one of the most encouraging and troubling parts of the New Testament.   I am convinced that unless we learn the value of covenant and make or cut covenant with God, making ourselves the covenant sacrifice, we will never fully embrace life as God intends and never reap the benefit of the events of life, good and bad.

James makes a humanly impossible declaration – “My brothers and sisters (Christians) consider (determine) it nothing but joy WHEN you fall into (encounter, experience) all sorts of trials, BECAUSE…”   Without covenant with God, and our heart has become covenant, sacrifice is virtually impossible.

We will be unable to rejoice, be content, confident, and trust God Through it All.   We will not be open to the University of Trials in the school of the Holy Spirit.

Testing develops patience and endurance (calm assurance).  The prize of Christian life is only realized through endurance.  Covenant endurance molds us into the place of spiritual maturity that enables us to say, “This is temporary, but God is eternal.  This will pass, but God will last.”

Therefore, let us make a covenant with our eyes to only allow things of redemptive value to enter through our eye gate.  If we focus on God, our hearts, ears, eyes, and mouths will reflect that confidence and enable us to endure Anything, Anytime, Anywhere!

How do we know we are enduring patiently in confidence?   Listen to our words.   If the tongue is untamed, it means the heart is unchanged.  If we give ourselves fully to Him, He transforms us, and the spring of life inside us flows out in words.  Words are thoughts expressed, and thoughts grow out of what we allow in through our eye and ear gates.

Let’s make a covenant with our eyes and ears to only allow the things that produce life to have access to our hearts and minds.  All other thoughts are to be forced into captivity and made to bow to Jesus.

We will be victorious if we receive God’s work in us.   Guard your eyes, ears, heart, and mouth.  As we are transformed, we become reflections of Jesus, and trials are not considered enemies but stepping stones to God’s Abundant Life!

Have a fantastic day, and know that God truly does count your footsteps!   He is a Keeper of His Covenant!