| These are not easy verses to read, but they tell a thrilling story. It follows on from yesterday's reading of the tremendous prayer in chapter 9. Here is what the people promised God they would do. There were 84 men who signed this promise. Nehemiah the leader was first to do so. He was followed by 22 priests, 17 Levites and then 44 chiefs and after them the rest of the people signed as well. What a big piece of parchment it must have been! What did they promise? Verse 29 says they promised to obey God's laws and verse 30 tells us that this included allowing their children to only marry those who loved the same God as they did. This is a far-reaching promise and the New Testament repeats the same standard for Christians today. If we would teach our young people that Christians should only marry Christians, it would save a great deal of heartache later. Verse 31 says that they promised they would not follow the way of the other people in the land. They would not buy or sell on the Lord's day even though others did. It is too easy just to do things because everybody else is doing them. God wants us to be willing to stand up for what we know is right. From verse 32 onwards the people agreed to give to God what he asked them to give. They would support God's house and do what they should in providing for it. This too is a New Testament commandment. Are we doing it? What did they promise? That they would be separated from the world around; they would stand up for God's laws and they would support God's house. Are you willing to sign a promise like that? A VERSE FOR TODAY:
'Them that honour me, I will honour. ' | 
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