RE Verse reading–Psalm 116:12-19, Mark 8:34-37, 2 Timothy 1:8-12 (day five) “I shall pay my vows to the Lord, Oh may it be in the presence of His people” (116:14) We are being watched. It is a good thing. Real religion is both private and public. Private in what God says to us, what He commands. Private also in what we say to Him, what we commit. How we follow through, however, is very public. Paul made and kept a vow in Acts 18. Jesus said that commitments should be straightforward. (Matthew 5) What we do promise to God, however, is to be fulfilled in the presence of His people. Marriage is an example. A vow taken before God with others serving as witnesses and accountability partners. No longer a private matter. Once made, vows are to be kept, blessing both the one who took the vow and those who observe the integrity involved. “May the words of my mouth. . .be acceptable in Thy sight” (Psalm 19:14)
