"Keep thy foot when thou goeth into the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools; for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven and thou upon the earth, therefore let thy words be few. For a dream cometh through the multitude of busyness, and a fool’s voice is known by the multitude of words. When thou vow a vow unto God, defer not to pay it, for He hath no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou should not vow, than thou should vow and not pay.” Ecclesiastes 5:1-5
Each day our life speaks volumes regarding our beliefs; and, every day we affirm our convictions by our actions. Some days we speak flippantly about things that are true convictions, and on other days, we speak convictions about things that are irrelevant, not understanding how important it is to pay attention to what we actually say.
Most people believe a vow to God is limited to money, because many times we find ourselves negotiating with God for some degree of monetary gain. The truth is, God does not need our money. However, if you make a monetary pledge, even if it is in jest, keep it. –It is a vow. A vow is anything that you have promised God you will do. Whether it is in return for something or not, is irrelevant, to be certain, God will keep His end of the bargain. If you use the term, “I swear to God…,” then you should be aware that you are dangerously avowing whatever you have said. And, if you are one of those people who like to "...swear to God" in anger, guess what? –It is a vow. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon wrote, "It is better not to vow, than to vow and not to fulfill your vow." Hannah understood this when she fulfilled her vow by taking her only son, Samuel, to the temple to live. (1 Samuel 1-2:11)
...What about you? Have you promised God that you were going to do something that you have not done? If so, today is the day to ask for forgiveness. And, when you have finished asking for forgiveness, if your vow falls within the realm of love, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness, fulfill what you have vowed! L.
Study Reference: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, Judges 11:1-40
Excerpt from: "Vows." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: bigstock
"Keep thy foot when thou goeth into the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools; for they consider not that they do evil. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before God; for God is in heaven and thou upon the earth, therefore let thy words be few. For a dream cometh through the multitude of busyness, and a fool’s voice is known by the multitude of words. When thou vow a vow unto God, defer not to pay it, for He hath no pleasure in fools; pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou should not vow, than thou should vow and not pay.” Ecclesiastes 5:1-5
Each day our life speaks volumes regarding our beliefs; and, every day we affirm our convictions by our actions. Some days we speak flippantly about things that are true convictions, and on other days, we speak convictions about things that are irrelevant, not understanding how important it is to pay attention to what we actually say.
Most people believe a vow to God is limited to money, because many times we find ourselves negotiating with God for some degree of monetary gain. The truth is, God does not need our money. However, if you make a monetary pledge, even if it is in jest, keep it. –It is a vow. A vow is anything that you have promised God you will do. Whether it is in return for something or not, is irrelevant, to be certain, God will keep His end of the bargain. If you use the term, “I swear to God…,” then you should be aware that you are dangerously avowing whatever you have said. And, if you are one of those people who like to "...swear to God" in anger, guess what? –It is a vow. In Ecclesiastes, Solomon wrote, "It is better not to vow, than to vow and not to fulfill your vow." Hannah understood this when she fulfilled her vow by taking her only son, Samuel, to the temple to live. (1 Samuel 1-2:11)
...What about you? Have you promised God that you were going to do something that you have not done? If so, today is the day to ask for forgiveness. And, when you have finished asking for forgiveness, if your vow falls within the realm of love, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness, fulfill what you have vowed! L.
Study Reference: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, Judges 11:1-40
Excerpt from: "Vows." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: bigstock
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