(Nehemiah 9:38-10:39)

Tradition is a fence around the law;
tithes are a fence around riches;
vows are a fence around abstinence;
a fence around wisdom is silence.
–Akiva ben Joseph

November is a very special month for me. It has always been filled with warm and exciting memories. These memories are connected to a very special person to me. You see, November 16, 2008 I asked Suzy to be my girlfriend and a year later on November 15, 2009 we were married! Suzy has been my girlfriend for 9 years and we have been married for 8 years. Time has flown by!

On November 15, 2009 I vowed to be hers and only hers. I made this promise to Suzy because she has been such a special part of my life. Some people think of this level of commitment and panic because they aren’t sure they want to give up their freedom to another person. I had no problem making this vow because of the relationship I have with Suzy. I love her and want to spend the rest of my life with her.

This week, as we continue our Nehemiah: Building on the Will of God sermon series we will be looking at the people taking a vow as a nation. They have recognized their need for God. They have recognized their failures and the disasters that have resulted. But now, they are realizing that they need God and they want to take up a vow in order to have a relationship with Him.

What vows have you made in your life? Do you think vows are important? Notice what Psalms 116:12-14:
“How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all His people (NIV).”

Vows are about relationship.
Relationship is about sacrifice.
Sacrifice is about love.
And vows of love lived out in our lives
is how we can best honor those
that matter most to us!

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Geraldo