Nehemiah 10-11, Acts 4:1—22 • Key Verse: Nehemiah 10:29
Every time you sign a credit card receipt, you are signing a legally binding contract. The wording
of the contract states simply that you agree to pay the debt. Putting something in writing carries
more weight than a verbal agreement.
Imagine putting in writing and signing your commitment to God. The people of Jerusalem did
that; they made a binding agreement, put it in writing and sealed it (9:38). What they agreed to
should challenge us to be so committed in the following areas:
Separation. The promise not to intermarry was not a prejudice against the people but a
commitment to be separated from the world and unto God.
Sabbath. The determination not to buy and sell on the Sabbath was a return to obedience. One
day in seven was to be set aside, as God had commanded.
Support. They also promised to support the house of God. This was a commitment to giving their
finances, which also was a return to obedience.
Each of these commitments is significant in and of itself. But the people put their commitment in
writing, signed it and sealed it before God. They were serious about these things!
The next time you make a commitment to God, make it a contract. Write it out, date it and sign
it. Then keep it in your Bible so that periodically you will review it to see how well you are
keeping your commitment.
Have you been slack in one of your commitments? Perhaps it is your commitment to read your
Bible, to support Gods work or to tell others about Jesus. Write a contract, renew your
commitment and keep it before God.

Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in