Nehemiah 10:1: “Now those who placed their seal on the document were: Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, and Zedekiah,”

November 12th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

After hearing all the Law and publicly repenting as a nation, the people created a written document, a covenant, to declare that they were turning back to God and would follow His statues and commands. That they “placed their seal on the document” emphasized that they were serious about their pledge, making it publicly and in writing.

There are many instances of this sort of overt, public declaration recorded throughout the history of the United States.

The Mayflower Compact: When the pilgrims were about to land at Plymouth, they formed what they called the Mayflower Compact. They drew up “rules for living in the new land,” and they all signed it as an agreement to live by those principles and laws.

The Declaration of Independence: The most famous document in American history is the Declaration of Independence. Our forefathers signed that great statement, which set forth the reasons they felt God was leading them to establish a new nation. The closing words are profound and filled with dedication: “For the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.” A few of those who signed did end up giving their lives for our independence and most lost their fortunes.

The Emancipation Proclamation: In 1862, at the height of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln said to his cabinet:

When the rebel army was at Frederick, I determined, as soon as it should be driven out of Maryland, to issue a Proclamation of Emancipation such as I thought most likely to be useful. I said nothing to anyone; but I made the promise to myself, and (hesitating a little)—to my Maker. The rebel army is now driven out, and I am going to fulfill that promise.

Lincoln soon after signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in this nation, into law.

Making a public statement of commitment builds bridges toward what we should be doing and burns the bridges back toward the old things we ought not to be doing. Jesus said it this way: “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32).

“LORD, give us the courage to publicly and openly speak of our love for You to others who need to hear a clear witness this day, we ask in Jesus’ name.”