“It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.” Or as a paraphrase puts it, “It is better to say nothing than to promise something that you don’t follow through on” (Ecclesiastes 5:5).
Rajan was driving down the street in a sweat because he had an important meeting and couldn’t find a parking place.
Looking up toward heaven, he said, “Lord, take pity on me. If you find me a parking place I will go to church every Sunday for the rest of my life and give up tequila.”
Miraculously, a parking place appeared.
Rajan looked up again and said, “Never mind, I found one.”
We’ve all heard about fox-hole promises-
– promises that are made to God when we are caught in a difficult situation or
– when our back is against the wall.
And as soon as the problem passes-
– the promise we made to God in our hour of desperate need is quickly forgotten.
Unfortunately we are living in a day where the word of far too many people doesn’t mean a thing either to God or others.
Commitments are made and forgotten.
Promises are made and readily broken.
The ability to keep one’s word, promises, and commitments are a mark of character.
Character counts!
“Dear God, please help me to become a person of noble character who always keeps his/her commitments and promises to you and to everyone else. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”