Keeping a Promise

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

Anger

No wonder you are greatly feared! Who can stand before you when your anger explodes? From heaven you sentenced your enemies; the earth trembled and stood silent before you. You stand up to judge those who do evil, O God, and to rescue the oppressed of the earth. Human defiance only enhances your glory, for you use it as a weapon. Psalm 76: 7-10 NLT

My son probably could have written the first two sentences in speaking about me, his mother. No wonder you are greatly feared! Who can stand before you when your anger explodes?

And it is true, I do have an awful temper. And it can be made worse if I am tired, hurt or even at that time of the month. I know that my anger can truly explode!

But the psalmist is not talking about a person here but about God. What would God's exploding anger look like? How ticked off would God have to be to get that angry? I think the clue is in verse 10: Human defiance only enhances your glory. The more we are defiant, the more likely God is to react in anger. Yet, the key is to hear that God will use our defiance as a weapon.

I think this means that we are often our own worst enemy. When we are defiant, we can cause awful things to happen. Perhaps God doesn't have to do anything but watch us create far worse punishments than if God did the sentencing.

God, help me not to be defiant. May I be a proponent for the oppressed. May I stand in awe of you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims

Victory!

God is honored in Judah; his name is great in Israel. Jerusalem is where he lives; Mount Zion is his home. There he has broken the fiery arrows of the enemy, the shields and swords and weapons of war. You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains. Our boldest enemies have been plundered. They lie before us in the sleep of death. No warrior could lift a hand against us. At the blast of your breath, O God of Jacob, their horses and chariots lay still. Psalm 76: 1-6 NLT

What victory can you claim in your life today?

Did you do well on that report at work? Were you complemented on your devotional for your study group? Did you finally get that job interview? Did your children actually thank you for a daily task you did?

Perhaps that medical test you were anxious about came back negative. Or you are finally recovered from the surgery. Has your marriage or another relationship improved because you have been praying hard and working hard for that?

Whatever your victory, how can you give God the glory and the credit? What words of celebration can you lift up to God today for the victories you have just received?

God, you are honored and your name is great! You have broken the fiery arrows of the enemy. You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains. My boldest enemies have been plundered. And the victory is yours, Almighty God! In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2012 Amelia G. Sims