I will fulfil my vows to you.

 

Monday, July 24, 2023


Psalms 56; 57

2 Samuel 3:20-39

John 6:52-71


Observance: Declan, bishop (d. c. 5th C)


I will fulfil my vows to you.


Our God is a God of grace. Once we have been washed in the blood of Jesus we are considered right with God. God judges us by the inclination of our hearts, not by the specific actions we perform. This is why confession and absolution in the church is considered a ministry; when we remind ourselves and each other that when we acknowledge our sins before God and ask for forgiveness in Jesus’ name, we are filled with peace and the refreshment of the kiss of God’s love.


This means we can make vows to God in good faith and with not a little excitement. Because where the pagan would try to make a deal with a higher power for their own benefit, we turn to our heavenly Father and tell Him we would like to do something to make Him happy.


In this Psalm, David has been captured by the Philistines and is asking God to free him. David makes his vow: he puts his trust in God. What he asks God for in return is that his enemies would turn back; that they would know that God is for David. We have already read this part of the story in the books of Samuel, we know that David gets away in the end. And so David keeps his vow with God by praising God for the rest of his life, as the almost-perfect, second-best king Israel ever had.


There is a different context we might make a vow to God, and that is in a particular sin we might be battling with. Try making a vow with God, that should God help you triumph over that sin, you would respond with thank offerings. But don’t treat it like an economic transaction – make it a plan to work with your loving Father to get over that problem. And when He upholds His side of the deal, respond by fulfilling your vow. I promise, this is a wonderful way to be.

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