Commitments & Vows
I was reading a passage yesterday in 2 Samuel 21: 1-9 that expressed how sincerely the Lord holds us to our commitments and vows. This passage is linked with a story in Joshua 9 about a promise made to the Gibeonites.
The promise was that Israel would not destroy them as they continued their conquest of the promise land. This promise was made without seeking the Lord. The Gibeonites had disguised themselves and deceived the leaders of Israel, but regardless, God expected them to honor their vow.
Years later King Saul had tried to destroy the Gibeonites and now the land was experiencing a famine. After inquiring of the Lord, David was instructed that restitution needed to be made for the vow being broken. The required restitution was the lives of seven of King Saul’s descendants.
At first that seemed extremely harsh to me, but after studying further I realized that God expects believers to be good to their word so that observers will believe that He is good for His word. Even when we make a commitment or vow in haste, we need to fulfill that promise.
Ecclesiates 5:5-6 says, “It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.”
I’ve done that before. Made a vow and then said it was a mistake and relieved myself from fulfilling it. Thinking back on that I see how there have been many hardships that my sons and husband have experienced because of my choices.
Whether that commitment or vow is a big or small, God takes each one very seriously and expects us to follow through.
Awhile back I had committed to my Fit at 50 plan. I was very faithful to that plan until about April of this year. Over the summer I began to forget that commitment and I’m beginning to see the effects of that choice.
I felt convicted about my lack of persistence when I cried out to God about my need to get back with the program. He had given me a mind picture about what was possible and at the time it gave me such encouragement.
Overtime the picture began to fade along with my commitment. He reminded me that His promises and commitments never fail. The promise is still available if I’m willing to fulfill my part.
It will not require something as drastic as seven lives of descendants, but it will require me dying to myself. Letting go of my will and following hard after what God has promised me and recommitting to the vow I made.
God is faithful and He wants me to learn to be the same.
My Prayer
Father, I thank you for Your word and always having a timely message for me. Please forgive my lack of commitment and help me to fulfill my vows. Help me to die to myself and trust that what You have for me is better and more blessed. Thank you for Your grace and restoration. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where does my help come from?
Matthew 5: 33-37
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”