December 20

Fidelity To Our Pledges

For You have heard my vows, O God; You have given me the inheritance reserved for those who fear Your name. — Ps 61:5 BSB

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people, — Ps 116:18 BSB

The psalmist had been brought very low by the sorrows of death, but God mercifully delivered him in answer to his cry. Now, he walks before God in the land of the living, as though the cup of salvation had been placed in his hand, overflowing with blessings. He speaks of how God has loosed his bonds, like a wild creature trapped in the woods but now set free, full of life and joy once again.

In such circumstances, it is natural to ask, “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?” The first and most reasonable response is to pay the vows we made when we were in trouble. Nothing deadens the heart more than vowing and not fulfilling it.

We should keep our vows for several reasons. First, it dishonors God to make promises lightly and break them. Second, it weakens our character when we resolve to do something and then fail to follow through. Each failure makes the next resolution even more fragile. Third, it undermines the faith of those who may have heard us make our vows. Lastly, when we don’t keep our vows, it shows that we failed to rely on the grace and power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill them. When a deed is done in God’s strength, from the first thought to the final action, it becomes permanent (John 3:21).

If you have vowed to be God’s servant, ensure that you live as you have vowed. If you have promised to serve, give, or live in devotion, be faithful to your word. The glorious declaration in Psalm 116:16 says it all: “O Lord, truly I am Your servant.” We, too, need to be bound by the cords of faith, hope, and love—bound by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Our resolutions may be frail, but God’s grace is sufficient to make us what we long to be in our best moments (Romans 12:1-2).

Prayer

Defend us, O Lord, from the deceitfulness of our unfaithful hearts. We are weak and prone to failure, but grant that we may bring our lives safely to Your desired haven. Amen.