Renewing the Covenant

Nehemiah Chapter 9

The end of October, the people fasted, dressed in sackcloth and those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all foreigners and confessed their sins and those of their ancestors. The Book of the Law of the Lord was read aloud for three hours and then they took turns confessing and worshiping. Then the leaders praised the Lord and told the people to stand up and be joyful for they were chosen by the Lord. The leaders also told of the sufferings and sorrows of the ancestors leaving Egypt and the stories of Moses and Mount Sinai and the bread from heaven.

The leaders also explained the sins and blasphemies that were done, but the Lord showed mercy. And the leaders explained the disobedience and turning to sin again and again and the pagan influences that caused the sinning. Finally in their great speech, the leaders told how God keeps his covenant of unfailing love, though through many kings the commands were not kept. So on this day, the slaves were again in the land of plenty that was given to their ancestors. And with a solemn promise, they put it in writing on a sealed document with the names of their princes, Levites and priests.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: This chapter gives a long summary of the history of the Israelites to remind them of their great heritage and God's promises. The Israelites were in a strange position of being slaves in their own land, having to turn over part of their resources to a foreign king. The solemn promise had six provisions: 1. not to marry non-Jewish neighbors 2. Observe the Sabbath 3. Observe every seventh year as the Sabbath year 4. pay a Temple tax 5. supply wood for the offerings 6.give dues to the Temple.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Just as the Israelite leaders reminded the people, we need to remember our history to keep from making the same mistakes over and over. It helps us to improve our behavior and gives us a pattern for spiritual growth. Isn't God just amazing! He is always there for us, ready to grant mercy and instruct us. We cannot fathom the depth of his forgiveness and apparently he puts no limit on the times we can return to the safety of his merciful arms. This is the "miracle of Grace"! Rejoice in his mercy!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother in law Mary just had a stroke this week. They are being tested by God and need a wealth of prayers. Pray for them now! Pray that they can find a place for Mary that won’t bankrupt the family.
And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
Pray for my cousin Diane who is undergoing total mastectomy surgery for breast cancer.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Update on Marthaline Sargent. She lost her battle with health problems and passed away last Tuesday. Our condolences to her son Patrick and daughter Stacey. Continue to pray for her husband Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who will soon undergo chemo for his prostate cancer.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
Pray for Debbie who lost her home in a fire last week.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.