KEEP THY VOWS TO GOD
By Evangeline Esaaba Folson
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
A vow can be defined as a solemn promise made to a deity or saint committing oneself to an act or service or condition.
As Christians, when we accept the gift of salvation we make vows to God to:
- Fulfill His purpose of creating us into good works (Ephesians 2:10 )
- Love Him with all our heart, mind and soul (Matthew 22:37)
- Keep His commandments (John 14:23 )
- Be faithful to Him (Revelations 2:10 )
The verse from Ecclesiastes 5:5 says it better not to vow to God at all than to vow and “not pay” or keep your vow.
The bible says – No man having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is not fit for my kingdom. (Luke 9:62)
Meaning, anyone who accepts the gift of salvation and returns to his old life is not fit for the kingdom of God.
How do we keep our vows to God in this crooked and perverse world?
We can:
- Pray for Grace and strength
Jeremiah 33:3
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Ephesians 6:18
- Study the word for direction Joshua 1:8
Psalm 119:11
2 Timothy 3:16
- Be determined to keep your vows Psalm 27:4 1 Samuel 1:27-28 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
PRAY FOR GRACE AND STRENGTH
The terms “crooked and perverse” world is used because we live in a world where people would move heaven and earth to obtain what they desire. They do not mind murdering or destroying others with lies and untruthful information spreading all over. It would be somehow acceptable if these desires are godly but unfortunately most of these desires are ungodly.
Jeremiah 33:3
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
When you want to live strictly according to the principles of the bible, you will be persecuted. You will be pressed on every side to give in to do things the world’s way. There is a proverb or saying that goes “If you cannot beat them join them” and “When you go to Rome you do what the Roman’s do” You need to call on the Lord daily for grace and strength to be able to keep His commandments.
1Thessalonians 5:17 reads
PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.
You cannot leave a Christian life Successful Christian life without praying constantly. The opposition and temptations are such that you cannot succeed if you do not pray for divine intervention.
Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching…Prayer is very important, we need to pray always.
STUDY THE WORD FOR DIRECTION
Joshua 1:8
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest prosper and thou shall have good success.
According to the verse above if you want to succeed in life you have to study the word thoroughly and do what it says. In order to be able to keep your vows to God, when you obey God’s commands you are keeping your vows to Him.
Psalm 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
This verse re-affirms what that verse from Joshua 1:8 Says. When you study and know the word of God, know the word of God, you know what to do and what not to do in order to keep your vows to God
2Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for connection, for instruction in righteousness.
The word of God directs us on what to do at every point in time as the verse above says.
BE DETERMINE TO KEEP YOUR VOWS
1 Samuel 1:27-28
For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him.
Therefore also I have lent Him to the Lord; as long as he liveth, he shall be lent to the Lord, And he worshipped the Lord there.
Do not make a vow to God just to receive what you desire and forget about doing your part.
Be determined to keep your vows. Hannah asked God for a child and when God blessed her with the Prophet Samuel, she lent him to the Lord to serve as a priest all the days of his life.
Psalm 27:4
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. The Psalmist King David made a vow to the Lord to serve Him all the days of His life and he kept his vow.
1 Corinthians 9:26-27
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air. But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
The Apostle Paul made a vow to God to discipline himself and live strictly according to Gods commands so that he will be not be disqualified from the Christian race or miss heaven. And he did exactly that till the end of his life.
Beloved in the Lord, let us ensure that we keep our vows to God. I am determined to do so and I hope you are too. There is a song that encourages me to press on. It says
I have decide to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decide to follow Jesus,
No turning Back, no turning back.
The cross before me,
The world behind me
The cross before me,
The world behind me
The cross before me,
The world behind me
No turning back
No turning back
Though no one joins me, still I will follow
Though no one joins me, still I will follow
Though no one joins me, still I will follow
No turning back, No turning back
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