Be careful what you promise God

"When you make a vow or a pledge to God, do not put off paying it; for God takes no pleasure in fools [who thoughtlessly mock Him]. Pay what you vow. 5 It is better that you should not vow than you should vow and not pay."  Ecclesiastes 5:4-5  Amplified bible

A vow is a solemn promise made to God to perform or to abstain from performing a certain thing. It is a sacred promise that we often take lightly. Many is the time people will try and bargain with God by pleading for something such as money and in return, they will do something special for God. Sadly, if that prayer is answered, the vow may not be fulfilled because they just go off and forget about it. You've probably heard someone say that if God would bless them with a massive Lottery win, they would do such and such for the church or some other venture. We all do it in a small way, 'Please Lord, give me a parking space, I'll do anything you ask if you do.' God may answer this prayer because He cares about your welfare and knows that the parking space is an urgent request. He doesn't need us to bargain with Him at all. He loves us.

Ananias and Sapphira from Acts 5:1-11 are a good example of making a vow to God and then not fulfilling their promise. They sold some possession and led Peter and the others, to believe that they were going to donate it all to the church. However, they kept a certain amount back for themselves. Peter questioned them about this and discussed how the proceeds had been there's in the first place but, they had led people to believe that they were giving everything. It was a lie, not only to Peter and the others but more importantly to God. They had told God a bare-faced lie and they were both judged for it there and then; they both fell down dead.

Perhaps, you may feel this is quite extreme, and anyway, it wouldn't happen like that in this day and age. Are you sure about that? God is an awesome God and a great friend but, He will not tolerate people who lie. It is deceit and when we act this way, we cannot be trusted. How would you feel if God did this to you? What if He promised to give you a lovely place to live in and instead of the mansion you were hoping for, it turned out to be a ruined down and out, old shed? It's not nice is it,

We need to choose our words wisely. Proverbs 18:20 says, 'A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of His mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled." Therefore, we need to be careful what comes out of our mouths. We need to think first before we speak; once it is out it is too late. Remember, what you confess you will get, it's down to what you say. Promise other people something and not follow through with it, may bring disappointment. A promise to God, needs a lot of thought before you say it because He will hold you to this. It's far better to say to Him, 'I will try Lord, please help me to do this.' Do you get the point?

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

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