God bless you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose commitment to do the will of God has ever been surpassed (John 8:29).
Nehemiah 9:38 records how God’s people made a sure covenant. They made a binding agreement, put it in writing, and signed their names to it. Nehemiah chapter 10 also records the details. This was a wonderful display of the resolve of those people to change their lives. The list might be termed the company of the committed, because the people saw a need for preserving and perpetuating the changes in their lifestyles. They so wanted to keep in step with God that they signed the agreement and bound themselves to that end. This agreement represents a kind of universal urge found among humans to publicly and seriously pledge themselves to be loyal to a cause they feel is right. There are many instances of this recorded in history.
When the Pilgrims were about to land at Plymouth, MA 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 these principles and laws. Similarly, the most famous document in American history, the Declaration of Independence, set forth the reasons why the men who signed it felt God was leading them to establish a new nation.
The closing words of that document read: “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.” History records that most of those signers of the Declaration actually did have to give up their lives. Those who did not lost their fortunes. But all of them retained their sacred honor.
Perhaps of the people who participated in our Messengers For Christ adventures shared with me that they felt the same way about the requirements of the adventure. They wanted to make some changes in their lifestyle and wanted a community to engage with for support and comradery. You read the MFC commitment and felt that those actions would help them walk with God and grow in grace and favor before Him. So, they pledged themselves. None of us ever did it perfectly, but we did our best and God honored it with great growth and insight.
In 1862, at the very 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,] and to my Maker. The rebel army is now driven out, and I am going to fulfill that promise.” That was the background of the great Emancipation Proclamation which freed the slaves for the first time in this country.
The resolve that Abraham Lincoln mustered is the same that we have to muster day by day as we resolve to keep our commitments before God. Yes, that will take discipline. We will not be able do this casually. Once we decide and make a decision, we stick with that decision. That is what a disciple is — one who disciplines himself or herself.
Ultimately, these people listed in Nehemiah failed to follow through with their commitment. Subsequent history reveals that all the old habits returned. We discover why in verse 29. It says, “They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, 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” (Nehemiah 10:29). They were depending on their own efforts to obey. They bound themselves with a curse and an oath. They were saying, “We will do this or else.” They were relying upon their own self-determination, their own will power. They were gritting their teeth and swearing to perform properly. There is no expression of any need of help from God or of any provision for failure and return.
It is still right to vow. It is still right to write it down for our own benefit and remind ourselves frequently of our goals. However, we must always add the words that Paul uses of himself, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). We will always need assistance to accomplish God’s will. Personal failure is not final. We can have a new beginning whenever we ask. The instruction in righteousness that allows us to walk with God includes doctrine, reproof and correction.
Job went through some painful experiences until he learned this lesson. This is what he said: “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal” (Job 5:17-18 NIV). Let’s include God in our plans and seek His assistance in performing our vows. Remember it’s Christ in us the hope of glory.
Following is something I found that I shared with the MFC. I think it was written by Dr. Robert Moorehead, and I found it very encouraging and inspiring:
Fellowship of the Unashamed
I’m part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I’m a disciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I’m finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotion, plaudits, or popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, and preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till he comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till he stops me. And when he comes for his own, he will have no problem recognizing me. . . my banner will be clear!