Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - "When you make a vow to the LORD your
God, be prompt in doing whatever you promised him. For the LORD your God
demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows. If you don't, you will be
guilty of sin. However, it is not a sin
to refrain from making a vow. But once
you have voluntarily made a vow, be careful to do as you have said, for you
have made a vow to the LORD your God.
This is the second time Moses has told us how important it
is to keep the vows we make to God. The first time was in Numbers 30:2…..when
he said… “If a man vows a vow
to the Lord, or swears an
oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do
according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” Promises are binding …forever.
We’ve all
been in that spot…where we have reached the end of our rope...and instead of
just asking God to take over…and trust that he
has a plan…we start a dialogue that tells God we will change…if he will
help us this one last time. Then as soon
as things are better…causes God seems to always grant these requests….we go
back to our old ways…and forget the promise we made to God. According to Moses…we
had better rethink this way of reasoning with God. For if we made any kind of
promise to him…he expects us to keep our word….forever…and he will hold us
accountable.
God wants
our actions to come from a heart that loves him…not a heart that expects favors
because we promised him some extra good behavior in return. It makes me remember….sometimes in my
children’s teen years…how they would want something really bad…and they would
promise to do something …if I would buy them something…or allow them to spend
the night with a friend. I also remember the disappointment sometimes when I
would go to their room…and see the mess they left…which broke the promise. I guess that is how God feels…when we make
promises to him…and not keep them…but his disappointment must be a billion
times greater.
This is such
a strong reminder to me this morning…that my love for God should compel me to
always consider what he would want first…I should be driven to do all that he wants….without
asking anything in return. I should be so focused and tuned into his voice…that
I know what he wants…and just do it…because I know that is what he wants.
Father…help
me to listen to your still small voice and know that you are God. Help me to trust you so deeply that I don’t
feel the need to promise you something to know that you are caring for my
needs. Let my only vow to God be to love him forever…and walk in his ways…and
search for his perfect will for my life. Forgive me for the times that I have
made a promise…then forgot it…or not asked for the strength to keep it. Renew my love for you this morning…and help
me remember all the promises I once made…so I can fulfill my vows to you. Amen.
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