September 30

Nehemiah 11-13; Psalm 126
Yesterday I wrote about the covenant the people had signed before God to keep all His commandments.  Yet, in today’s reading we see how they have already broken their promises.  When Nehemiah leaves to fulfill other obligations, the people forsake the Sabbath, and some of the men take on foreign wives.  Upon his return, Nehemiah straightens things out, restoring, once again, the covenant of righteousness they had made to the Lord.  He was a strong leader, and the people needed a strong leader.  It’s no different today.  We need strong leaders, men who are faithful to God, able to lead His people in the ways of righteousness.  When we are blessed with shepherds who take this work seriously, we need to praise God for them, and support their efforts in every way possible.