Covenant made

[32] Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day. [33] Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly: [34] Neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them. [35] For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in thy great goodness that thou gavest them, and in the large and fat land which thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works. [36] Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it: [37] And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress. [38] And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it. Nehemiah 9:32-38

The Israelites reflected on the past and realized how wrong they were. Praising and glorifying God they confess their sin, “for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly” and start to rectify the situation.

Verse 34 notes not one of them, from the common person to the leaders had kept the law. They think about where they were and in what direction they now will be traveling. Realizing they are in “great distress” they look to the One who is willing and waiting to help.

A solution is found, make a sure covenant. Sure, in this verse, is the Hebrew word for fixed. Not only make a covenant to obey and follow the Lord, but write it out and seal it. When something is written out we see it in black and white. It is easy to break an oral agreement but if it is written out and signed, one is reminded of what they pledged.

Have you made oral promises to God, which have been repeatedly broken? Keep a quiet time journal and write down goals and aspirations that you would like to achieve in your Christian life. Pray and ask Him for daily wisdom.

Have a blessed day,
Donna