Make vows to the Lord your God, and keep them. Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One. For he breaks the pride of princes, and the kings of the earth fear him. Psalm 76: 11-12 NLT
In the time of the psalmist, it was customary to make vows to God, often taking on physical characteristics to indicate that a vow was being carried out. Think of Paul's shaving his head in Acts in order to fulfill a vow. Vows were not only serious business but a way of life for the faithful. There were even rules that said if a woman's husband or father disagreed with her vow, she would be released from it. Part of the vow was to bring an offering or tribute to God at the Temple.
Today, we don't take such vows as a rule. But we do tend to make promises.
The psalmist reminds us that if you promise God that you will do something, then do it.
Sounds simple, right?
Yet, how many times have we promised ourselves that we would not do something and found ourselves doing it anyway? How many times have we promised our loved ones something but later discovered we had forgotten?
How much better do you think we will be with promises to God?
God, you are the Awesome One. We make our promises to you. May we always fulfill them. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims
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