Re:Verse reading–1 Samuel 1 (day seven)
Sometimes we forget. We are well meaning people who forget when things are well. In the throes of adversity we offer God more than we have wanting nothing more than to see a flicker of light at the end of the tunnel. But we so often forget those foxhole vows. We dust ourselves off and walk away from the pain leaving God in the tunnel.
Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. 3 For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God. -Ecclesiastes 5:2-7
This wisdom of Ecclesiastes was written for us, it was not written for Hannah. She was one who made a vow to God and kept it. As soon as she could, she brought Samuel to the Lord. Brought him and left him with the priest. But Hannah didn’t stop there. She not only brought Samuel to the Lord, she brought flour, wine, and a three-year-old bull. That may not sound like much on paper, but that was a huge offering. It was about three times extra. Why in the world would Hannah bring the incredible offering of her son plus three times the normal elements? I think God should be happy with my child, but Hannah flooded the altar.
Great blog content. It is a great principle and concept in guiding the conducts of our lives at personal, professional and spiritual fronts: pay what you wow! It is a trust issue and speaks loudly of one’s character and one’s heart!
Great lesson for all,
When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7~~Ecclesiastes 5:5-7
Actions speak! Words and actions go hand-in-hand. Promises are to be kept and delivered timely. It is well taken, “it is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.” No one asks us to vow against our hearts, our will, and our abilities to deliver. Think through before we speak and promise something! Ask ourselves whether we can deliver.
Delivering our promises builds trust and trust feeds trust! Trust is a critical ingredient in everything we do. Ecclesiastes taught us the importance of our vows! We better take our vows seriously to God and to those we vow!
What we do and act on speaks loudly about the conditions of our hearts and about our character! Trust matters and it can make or break us!