Sunday, October 6, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

You Can Count On Me

Ecclesiastes 5:5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.

Have you ever made a promise to someone that you had to break through no fault of your own? Something came up that you had no control of...making it impossible to fulfill your prior commitment?

Since I have a busy full-time job and many family and personal obligations, I have had to back out of things on occasion that I truly wanted to do BUT just could not. For example, when my children were younger, there were times I had to miss work to care for them. Likewise, there have been things I had to miss out on with family due to important work meetings.

I believe that today's verse is NOT referring to those times when we truly have no choice - when things ARE out of our control. Instead, this verse refers to those times when we make a promise and then break it because something better comes along OR we just don't feel like doing what we said we would do.

Since there are about 30 biblical references to vows, God apparently places great importance on keeping your word ... fulfilling your promises. He warns in James 5:12 "Let your 'Yes' be yes. And let your 'No' be no. If you don't, you will be judged."

Why would God go as far as to say that we will be judged if we are negligent in this area? Without a doubt, His desire is for us to be men and women of character. He wants us to reflect Him in all we say .... all we do. He wants us to be a blessing to others --- to be His hands and feet on Earth!

Surprisingly, we have just as much to gain in being attentive to fulfilling our promises as do those who are the recipients of our actions. Proverbs 22:1 states "Choose a good reputation over great riches; being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold."

My challenge to you today is to carefully guard your reputation by being true to the promises that you make. God's favor will be poured out on your life if you make this a priority as stated in Proverbs 2:7 "He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to Him."

Dear Lord, I realize that my words, my promises reflect my walk with You. Help me to always fulfill the promises that I make in order to bring honor to You as You promise to honor me for doing so. Let others see me as someone they can count on.

I also thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.