Sat.’s Devo - Renewing the Covenant

Read: Nehemiah 9:22-10:39; 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 21:13 Nehemiah continues the reminding the people the history of their ancestors and all the failures they had had, yet how faithful God had been to them when they returned to him and repented. We could read this and put America’s name in it and tell her history of mistakes and times that God has been so faithful when we returned to Him. They found themselves slaves in the land of plenty which the Lord had meant to be theirs for their enjoyment. On this day, they were making a covenant to serve the Lord according to his laws and putting it in writing. All of the priests, Levites and leaders of the people personally signed it. The people met and agreed to the covenant and swore to obey it. They agreed to not let their daughters marry the pagan people of the land, pay their tithes, not trade on the Sabbath, give their land its Sabbath rest every seven years, give the annual Temple tax, bring their first fruits and first born to the Lord and not neglect the Temple of God. In Corinth, the temptations they faced were mostly sexual since the city was the ‘sin city’ of the world. Paul reminded them that though they were free in Christ, it did not mean they were free to sin. They were free to minister life but a slave to righteousness. He reminded them of the children of Israel and how God killed many of them who sinned even though they had all seen and experienced the great miracles of God and drank the water from the rock. That rock was Jesus. So, even though they were God’s children, He still punished them for their wickedness and He is the same God today. Paul warned them of putting Christ to the test, because they would reap the consequences of their sin. It is the same for us. We all have our story of what God has done for us. When we are tempted, God always makes a way of escape for us. Lord, it is so good to walk with you with no guilt and shame. Help us to chose righteousness and to take the way of escape when we are tempted. May we one day be free to enjoy this wonderful nation that you raised up for our enjoyment and for Yours.