7 years ago, my husband and I stood on a beach in Mexico with our children and recommitted our marriage vows to one another. We wrote down our own words and said them to each other. This was not a formal ceremony, no pastor or special person, except our children to hear that we would continue to love and honor each other. I have to admit, I thought my husband did a much better job at coming up with the words to honor me than I did. But, I know that it was the act of recommitting our covenant 20 years after our original vows that was the important aspect.
This marriage renewal was a special occasion for us, it didn’t make us more married or more in love with each other. There was no “legal” person there to witness the event, but it served a very useful purpose in our lives.
Today in our reading of Deuteronomy 26, the people were remembering that they had committed to follow the Lord.
The Lord your God commands you this day to follow these decrees and laws; carefully observe them with all your heart and soul. You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws-that you will listen to him.
Deuteronomy 26:16-17
The people were proclaiming this covenant before entering the land. This renewal of vows reminds us of something important that we have committed to doing. The people were remembering they had made a commitment to follow the Lord.
It is easy in the busy daily life to forget the importance of the day we committed to follow Jesus. Maybe it was a few months ago, a year ago, or more than 30 years ago, but it is good to remember the day we decided to follow the Lord. Think back today on the day you gave your life to Jesus. Remember the commitment you made and the joy that filled your heart. Everyday we have the opportunity to ask for forgiveness and surrender to Jesus again. Maybe take a moment today to recomit your life to Jesus, to walk with Him.