Have you ever made a promise and not kept it? My grandchildren remind me and keep me in check about promises. “But, you promised, Nana, you promised that…” and when I remember the promise I made, I make every effort to keep it, mostly, for my sake and peace of mind.
So, when I make a promise to God, with all my heart I make all the effort possible to fulfill it. Solomon warns us about this in the 4th chapter of Ecclesiastes. He wrote, “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.”
In the Israelite culture making vows or oaths was a very sober matter. These vows were made voluntarily and once they were made they were resilient and for good. The book of Deuteronomy 23:21-23 notes,”If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth.”
This demonstrates the seriousness of making a vow or promise to God. We need to substantially consider what we promise to the Lord. Proverbs 20:25 says, “It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows.” The proverb points out the wrong of making a promise rashly and then reconsider it. God takes promises very seriously to the point of expecting us to carry it through.
Most folks make promises to God with every intention of seeing it through. We want to please God and for that reason, we must consider the promise very carefully. Otherwise, it’s better not to make it. Jesus said, “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.'” Matthew 5:33
Jesus was emphasizing the importance of being truthful. This is what builds relationships. And, if we certainly expect to have the right relationship with God we must be truthful and keep our word; our promises.
So, as Solomon wrote it is better to keep our promises because if we tend not to, it is better not to make them at all.
As I read these portions of scripture and considered what Solomon was sharing; I stopped to reflect. Did I make promises I did not keep to the Lord or anyone else? Seriously? Yes, seriously! ”
“Promises to make, promises to keep” is an adage I was taught years ago and I now truly “see” it for what it means. Keep your promises!
ritasalomon 