The Return of the King

One of the touching moments in a marriage ceremony is when the bride and groom face one another to speak their vows. When I officiate a wedding ceremony, I ask the couple to repeat words of fidelity, trust, and commitment. It’s an incredibly powerful moment and is often met with tears.

In Nehemiah 9, we see the people of Israel renewing their vows to the Lord with tears and celebration after their work. They recommitted to God, who was already committed to them. They made many promises about how they would govern their lives. Above all, they promised to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Yet all their newfound success had not made them choose to love God more; it tempted them to do whatever they wanted. God gave them salvation, but they worshiped other gods. Nehemiah wrote, “As soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight.” Israel chose to live their lives on their terms rather than the Lord’s.

The King needed to return to their hearts once again, and so God had to remind them of their vows through Nehemiah. Over 2,000 years ago, God renewed his vows of love to us by sending his Son. Jesus prayed, “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know I came from you, believing you sent me.” (John 17:6-8).

In this way Jesus repeated God’s vows to us, saying we belong to him alone. May we live out our love for him through hearts that continue to return to the King.