May 23 - And Because Of All This.

Nehemiah 9:38
“And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal unto it.”
 
Because…a prelude of an explanation of the reason for something.
Sometimes we have to explain why we choose to do or not to do a particular thing.
Sometimes we are asked to give a reason.
 
1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:”
 
In Nehemiah 9, we find the children of Israel assembled and fasting. They had separated themselves for specific purposes…to confess their sins, to read from the Book of the Law of the LORD, and ultimately to worship Him.
 
The Levites stood upon the stairs and began to cry out to the LORD their God with a loud voice. 
 
Nehemiah 9:6
“Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou hast made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preservest them all; and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.”
 
Throughout the rest of the chapter, we find them dwelling on what they have known that the Lord had done amongst them. 
 
He created the heaven and the earth. – 9:6
He chose Abram and gave him the name of Abraham. – 9:7
He made a covenant with Abraham to give him the land. – 9:8
He saw the affliction and cry of the people in Egypt. – 9:9
He brought signs and wonders upon Pharaoh. – 9:10
He divided the Red Sea and delivered the people from their enemies. – 9:11
He led them by both a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire. – 9:12
He came down upon Mount Sinai to give the Ten Commandments. – 9:13-14
He gave bread from Heaven and brought water out of the rock. – 9:15
He showed the people mercy and did not forsake them in their pride and rebellion. – 9:16-19
He instructed them and gave them manna. – 9:20
He sustained them for 40 years in the wilderness. – 9:21
He allowed them to possess the land and multiply. – 9:22-25
He once again showed mercy when they were disobedient. – 9:26-31
He had shown Himself faithful. – 9:32-37
 
“And because of all this…”
 
Have you ever looked back upon your life and purposefully remembered all that the Lord has done for you? 
 
No doubt He has been just as faithful, merciful, and patient with you has He was with the children of Israel. 
Perhaps today you too can choose to thank Him for all that He has done. 
 
“And because of all this…”
 
The people made a covenant that day, the princes, Levites, and priests sealed it.
 
They purposed both individually within themselves, and as a whole people…
Nehemiah 10:29
”…to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;”
 
When you think about all the Lord has done for you, does it not make you want to also renew your covenant to walk with Him?
“And because of all this…”
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 9-10   |    1 Corinthians 11