We are
in a covenant relationship with God, by His amazing grace and through faith in
Jesus Christ. Vows are essential in a personal covenant relationship. So why
are we so hesitant to make promises to God? He has certainly made a lot of
promises to us! And He is faithful to keep His Word to us. His Word instructs
us on making vows. We become more like Him when we make a promise and keep our
word. Psalm 119, the longest prayer in the Bible, is full of vows.
What
was the last promise you made to God? Do you pray your promises? Are they built
upon God’s will?
Some
may point to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:33-37) on what Jesus said about
no longer taking an oath (making a “false vow”). Jesus did not abolish the Law,
He is fulfilled it. He teaches in the SM that your vow (promise) does not need
an oath to strength it. Your word (based on His) is all the strength you need.
The Pharisees had various oaths to strengthen their promises; some oaths gave
them options for not keeping their vows. It was oath-bureaucracy of the worst
order. Jesus made promises to God in His
prayers (John 17:26) and taught us to in the model prayer (Luke 11:4).
The
main reason we balk at making a promise to God is that we fear we will not be
able to fulfill it. That fear is based on a hesitation to fully depend upon God
for the fulfillment. We just don’t want to trust God that much.
The first
step in developing a vow is to make sure it lines up with the will (promise) of
God. Beware of making vows upon a different foundation other than the will of
God. When you examine the vow in the model prayer and in Jesus’ prayer and the
many vows in Psalm 119 you find that each one is according to the will of God.
Once your promise is based upon the sure foundation of God’s will, the next
step is to pray like your life depends upon it, because it does! Pray your
promises to God! Each day, pray your promises to God. This is the stuff that
God creates faithfulness in you with; your dependence upon Him for the vows you
have made to Him.
Another
reason people are slow to commit, hesitant to put themselves under a promise,
is that it closes all other option doors. When a man and a woman stand before a
pastor at their wedding ceremony they are closing all other option doors on
dating other people for the rest of their lives!
But we
like options. This is the reason people do not want to get married (make a commitment
before God to one person). Someday they may want out. They want the option of
changing their mind. Who is the main focus in that picture? Self is. This is
the basis of idolatry; I stay in control of what I worship. I make the rules, I
build it, I set it up, I drive it, I enjoy being in control, I keep the key.
This
was at the heart of the first temptation and sin…you can be your own authority
and determine for yourself what is right and wrong. But a promise becomes a law
in my life that I place myself under it. When it is based upon God’s will, I am
under His authority and will.
God’s
laws express His love for us. My obedience to His laws expresses my love for
Him. In this love relationship with God, I experience Life with God and my life
is enriched, provided for by God, protected by Him, and blessed with peace that
passes all understanding.
Pray
about making some promises to God. Like Job (31:1-2), make a covenant with your
eyes. Like Malachi (3:10-12), promise to give all of the tithe to God. Like
James (1:19-22), promise to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
Become a faithful witness like Jesus said we were to be (Acts 1:8). Add some
vows to your prayer list and watch what God can do in you, with you, through
you, as you, before the watching world around you.
