Fulfilling Vows - Part 1

Os Hillman writes a couple of email devotions that I find meaningful. One is Primetime and the other Marketplace Leaders. In this morning’s (11-18-09) Marketplace Leaders he addresses the issues of vows.

In Ecclesiastes we read this about vows; “When you make a vow to God, do not delay fulfilling it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Fulfill what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not fulfill it.” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5; NRSV)

Those of us who are married or have been married, made a vow. Those in positions of leaderships made a vow in accepting their position. And every person who belongs to a church made a vow to God and the Church. How are you doing on your vows?

Hillman wrote:
Have you ever had a business relationship with someone who made a commitment but later said, "Well, things changed, so I cannot honor our original agreement.”? Sometimes this may be the case, but often it is simply an opportunity to avoid fulfilling an agreement. God is big on fulfilling vows. God's nature is righteousness and truth. You will always see God honor His Word. He expects the same of His people.
Hillman went on to point out…
God says there are consequences when we do not fulfill our vows. Subsequent Scripture verses reveal the following:
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." Why should God be angry with what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:5-7)
God tells us that He will destroy the work of our hands for failure to fulfill vows. That's pretty strong language. It gives us an indication of how important fulfilling vows is to God. He will not prosper our work if there are unfulfilled vows in our lives.

Hillman ends the devotional this way; “Ask God today if there are any unfulfilled vows in your life. If so, begin today to make them right so that you may be successful in whatever God calls you to do.

Next week we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. I shared with the children this morning in Chapel that Thanksgiving goes further back than the Pilgrims and Indians. The Psalms are filled with reminders to give thanks to God. And one of the main reasons we are to give thanks to God is God’s faithfulness.