Daily Devotionals

'Every Day Light' with Selwyn Hughes

Devotional: September 13th

For Reading and Meditation:
     Ecclesiastes 5:4-7

Did you know the more talkative you are, the more likely you are to fall into sin? If you have any doubt about that, read Proverbs 10:19. In the verses before us today, Solomon identifies another danger - making promises to God which we fail to deliver. How many of us in the emotion of a church service have made promises to God that we have conveniently forgotten? The promises we make in haste we repent of at leisure. Perhaps we rationalize and say such things as "I didn't really mean it," or "I was carried away by the emotion of the moment." A vow made to God ought to be treated seriously. It is the seed plot of action. When we vow, we ought not to do it impulsively, but only after careful and prayerful consideration. Solomon's advice on vows is quite simple: First, don't delay in delivering it (v. 5), and second, don't deny you said it (v. 6). Have you made a vow to God and never followed through on it? Ask God's forgiveness and the grace, if the vow is still capable of being undertaken, to do what you promised. We live in an age when vows and commitments do not seem as important as they once did. God keeps his vows; so should we. Let's heed this important message of Solomon: babbling, rambling, and ill-considered words, though found in many places, ought not to be found in church. It's no good opening your mouth wide and having a good sing if you only open half an ear and never get around to doing what you promised to God.

O God, help me to see what tension I set up inside myself when I make vows to You that I do not keep. You keep Your word to me, may I also keep my word to You. Help me, where it is possible, to catch up on any unfulfilled promises. In Christ's Name I pray. Amen.