The Vow of Pursuit: A Commitment to Love

A Commitment to Love. Covenant Love: The Foundation of Relationships

Bible Passages:

Genesis 2:24 , Psalm 63:8, Judges 20:45, Hebrews 3:13, Genesis 29

Introduction:

Welcome! I invite you to join me as we continue to look closer into Love and Marriage. Today, reflect on the sacred vows that bind us in love and commitment. One such vow, often overlooked but profoundly significant, is the Vow of Pursuit. This vow calls us to actively and continuously pursue our loved ones, just as we did in the early days of our relationships.

By nature, we pursue what we do not have. Think back to the times when you made a fool of yourself for love. Perhaps you wrote notes, made mix tapes, or even drove overnight just to spend a few precious moments with your beloved. These acts of pursuit were driven by a deep desire to connect and cherish the one you love.

The Bible provides a strong foundation for the Vow of Pursuit. In Genesis 2:24, it is written, "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh." The Hebrew word for "united" is "dabaq," which means to cling or adhere, to catch by pursuit, to pursue hard with affection and devotion. This concept is echoed in various scriptures, such as Psalm 63:8, where it says, "I follow close behind you," and Judges 20:45, "They pursued hard after them".

True relationships should be grounded in covenant love, marked by loyalty, sacrificial love, and the joy that comes from growing together. It emphasizes the importance of deep connections in our spiritual and everyday lives. Throughout the Scriptures, Jesus exemplifies the ultimate covenant relationship through His love for the Church. His sacrifice establishes a new covenant that invites us to engage in loving relationships modeled after His unconditional love.

Big Idea:

Covenant love is not just an ideal; it’s a commitment that transforms our relationships and mirrors the heart of Jesus, who calls us to love unconditionally and support one another in all circumstances.

1. Committed to Covenant Union

Genesis 2:24 NIV

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Think of two trees that grow close to one another, their branches intertwined. For them to really flourish, they must loosen their grip on each other to allow their own trunks to strengthen. Just like this, when we leave home and start new families, we embody the covenant love Christ demonstrates. As we undertake this beautiful journey, we become stronger individually and collectively!

The foundational principle of covenant love in marriage, is designed by God. This verse emphasizes the importance of leaving familial ties to create a new, united relationship, mirroring the covenant love Christ has for the church. it’s important to recognize and value the sacredness of marital vows, reflecting God's unwavering commitment to us. This establishes a strong foundation for exploring the idea that true love demands dedication and unity.

2. Clinging to Covenant Commitment

Psalm 63:8 NIV

I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

Have you ever tried to pull a friend off the couch for a Saturday morning run? It feels like an uphill battle! But once they get up and join you, the camaraderie transforms the struggle into laughter and fun. Just like in life, our community is that friend—sometimes we need a little push to get moving, but we’re always stronger together! Let's not just pull each other up, let's support one another through every step of the way, just like Paul encouraged the early church in Philippians 1:27.

Clinging to God as a model for steadfast love is important in our human relationships. Just as the psalmist holds fast to God, we are called to hold fast to our partners and community members, supporting and uplifting one another. This unyielding pursuit of faithfulness is what transforms our relationships into reflections of Christ's covenant love. Emphasize the role of spiritual intimacy and trust in building strong, enduring relationships.

3. Consequences of Covenant Failure

Judges 20:45 NIV

As they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon, the Israelites cut down five thousand men along the roads. They kept pressing after the Benjamites as far as Gidom and struck down two thousand more.

A husband and wife once celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, boasting a beautiful life together. But behind the smiles were hidden wounds of infidelity that shattered their trust. As they sat with a counselor, the wife voiced her pain and anger while seeking comfort. Through tears, the husband admitted his mistakes and expressed his deep remorse, leading to a powerful moment of Christ-like forgiveness. They chose to reverse the breakdown by leaning on God’s grace, understanding that covenant love can be restored through His healing touch.

With the correct help and guidance harmful behaviors can be reversed with Christ-like forgiveness and understanding. We are called to avoid division and pursue reconciliation, mirroring Jesus’ forgiveness and unending pursuit of His people.

4. Caring Through Covenant Encouragement

Hebrews 3:13 NIV

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

A cheerful postman delivers notes of encouragement to a neighborhood every day. The residents eagerly await his arrival, excited for a little positivity in their mailboxes. This delightful routine serves as a reminder that we can be like that postman, sharing daily words of support with our friends and family. In covenant relationships, this practice strengthens our connections and reflects the love Christ has for us. Let's be mail carriers of encouragement!

Most of us have good intentions, but we often fall short in our actions. Hebrews 3:13 reminds us to "encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." When you think something good, say it. When you think something special, do it.

5. Pursuing Covenant Promises

The Story of Jacob and Rachel: One of the most beautiful stories of pursuit in the Bible is that of Jacob and Rachel.

Genesis 29 NIV

Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples. There he saw a well in the open country, with three flocks of sheep lying near it because the flocks were watered from that well. The stone over the mouth of the well was large. When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well. Jacob asked the shepherds, “My brothers, where are you from?” “We’re from Harran,” they replied. He said to them, “Do you know Laban, Nahor’s grandson?” “Yes, we know him,” they answered. Then Jacob asked them, “Is he well?” “Yes, he is,” they said, “and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep.” “Look,” he said, “the sun is still high; it is not time for the flocks to be gathered. Water the sheep and take them back to pasture.” “We can’t,” they replied, “until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.” While he was still talking with them, Rachel came with her father’s sheep, for she was a shepherd. When Jacob saw Rachel daughter of his uncle Laban, and Laban’s sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncle’s sheep. Then Jacob kissed Rachel and began to weep aloud. He had told Rachel that he was a relative of her father and a son of Rebekah. So she ran and told her father. As soon as Laban heard the news about Jacob, his sister’s son, he hurried to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, and there Jacob told him all these things. Then Laban said to him, “You are my own flesh and blood.” After Jacob had stayed with him for a whole month, Laban said to him, “Just because you are a relative of mine, should you work for me for nothing? Tell me what your wages should be.” Now Laban had two daughters; the name of the older was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. Leah had weak eyes, but Rachel had a lovely figure and was beautiful. Jacob was in love with Rachel and said, “I’ll work for you seven years in return for your younger daughter Rachel.” Laban said, “It’s better that I give her to you than to some other man. Stay here with me.” So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife. My time is completed, and I want to make love to her.” So Laban brought together all the people of the place and gave a feast. But when evening came, he took his daughter Leah and brought her to Jacob, and Jacob made love to her. And Laban gave his servant Zilpah to his daughter as her attendant. When morning came, there was Leah! So Jacob said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.” And Jacob did so. He finished the week with Leah, and then Laban gave him his daughter Rachel to be his wife. Laban gave his servant Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her attendant. Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years. When the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless. Leah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Reuben, for she said, “It is because the Lord has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now.” She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Because the Lord heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too.” So she named him Simeon. Again she conceived, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi. She conceived again, and when she gave birth to a son she said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” So she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children.

Jacob worked for seven years to marry Rachel, only to be deceived and given Leah instead. Undeterred, he worked another seven years for Rachel. This story exemplifies the dedication and persistence required in the pursuit of love. Jacob’s passionate pursuit of Rachel, symbolizing earnest commitment to covenant promises. Despite hardships and years of service, Jacob's unwavering dedication exemplifies love's transformative power. Relate this to how Christ pursued us with unwavering love, inspiring believers to mirror such dedication in their personal relationships. Encourage valuing time, effort, and sacrifice as aspects of covenant commitment.

Applications:

In your home, you may sometimes feel overwhelmed by conflicts and misunderstandings with your spouse or children. Remember that your relationship is a sacred covenant. To reinforce this, set aside a specific time each week for a family meeting where everyone can voice their concerns in a safe space. Approach these discussions with a commitment to mutual support, reminding each other of the love God has for your family. This practice can transform how you face challenges and strengthen your vows to one another.

At work, you might find that relationships with colleagues can sometimes feel strained, impacting your morale and productivity. Instead of allowing this tension to fester, commit to a ‘covenant of grace’ where you actively seek to understand and support each other, especially during stressful deadlines. Make it a habit to express gratitude to a coworker each week by sharing how their contributions have positively impacted your day. This shift from competition to cooperation nurtures a supportive work environment reflecting God’s love.

Conclusion:

In our daily lives, we must continue to pursue our spouses and loved ones. This means not taking them for granted and always striving to show them how much they mean to us. Simple acts like leaving a thoughtful note, making their favorite meal, or spending quality time together can make a significant difference. Let us remember the Vow of Pursuit. Let us commit to actively pursuing our loved ones with the same passion and dedication we had in the beginning. By doing so, we honor God and strengthen the bonds of love that hold us together.

Big Idea:

Covenant love is not just an ideal; it’s a commitment that transforms our relationships and mirrors the heart of Jesus, who calls us to love unconditionally and support one another in all circumstances.

Questions to consider this week

How can you actively pursue your loved ones in your daily life to reinforce your commitment to them?

What are some creative ways you can show commitment to your friends or loved ones each week?

In what ways do you find yourself taking your loved ones for granted, and how can you change that?

Can you share an example of a time when you had to persevere in a relationship, similar to Jacob's pursuit of Rachel?

How can the story of Jacob and Rachel inspire you to commit more deeply to your own relationships?