Ever play “Let’s Make a Deal” with God? C’mon, we all have. “If you’ll do this then I’ll do that,” or, “I’ll give you that if you let me have this.” And on it goes…
“When you make a promise to God, don’t delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to Him. It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it.” Ecclesiastes 5: 4-5
I’ve heard of people who vowed to follow God and live for Him if something they wanted to happen, happens. Lo and behold, whatever it was went their way… they remembered their promise, and now are living for God. So there are some exceptions to the majority of us! Solomon is warning us not to make foolish promises to God. Interestingly in the Israelite culture, making vows was a serious matter. Once a vow was made, it was unbreakable.
“Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God, and only later counting the cost.”
Proverbs 20:25
It’s not cool, actually it’s foolish to play games with God, and to make promises you can’t keep. God takes promises seriously and requires that they be carried out.
“When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promise him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or 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 fulfill your promise to the Lord your God.
Deuteronomy 23: 21-23
“You have also heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord.’ But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God’s throne. And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem!’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King. Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. Just say a simple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or, ’No, I won’t.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.” Matthew 5: 33-37
This is a serious problem… keeping our word. It’s especially a problem among Christians. How many of us volunteer or sign up for things, and never show up when the time comes? Again, there are exceptions – tragedies, illnesses, deaths…etc. When the time comes to do what we promised to do, how many of us cheerfully do it…how many of us make excuses and just say, “I don’t feel like it?” When we promise or sign up to volunteer for something, we need to realize that there are people depending on us. This is what the Bible tells me…How well you keep your promises is based on your level of commitment. It also tells me that a promise is only as good as the person making that promise. I will end today’s post with this verse from Psalm 15…
“Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises, even when it hurts.” Psalm 15: 4