Rash Words and Rash Promises
“When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.”
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
I remember one Sunday singing a song at church and when it was over I couldn’t even remember what song we had just sung. I was going through the motions but my heart was not in it. My mind was occupied with thinking about all the stuff that I was going to do when we got home. I was definitely not worshiping.
There is always the danger that worship becomes a meaningless exercise. How often do we listen to sermons but don’t really hear a word of it? The pastor’s voice almost lulls us to sleep.
Our verses for today have to do with the worship of God. But it is not just referring to church on Sunday. Solomon is telling us to be careful in all our worship and this includes corporate worship, private worship, our words about God and the promises that we make to Him.
Remember that worship is ascribing worth to something and for the Christian, it must be God. It is praising who He is and what He has done. Our life is to be lived in such a way that we ascribe worth to God.
We must be careful with our words
God’s name is holy and so are the things that He does. So we must guard against speaking rash and thoughtless words about God (Ecclesiastes 5:2). We do this sometimes when we pray out loud. We are much more concerned with how we come across to those around us instead of focusing on the fact that we have entered the throne room of God and are speaking to the Mighty One of Israel.
I’ll confess that, while praying with others, I practiced my prayer in my head instead of praying with the person whose turn it was…all because I didn’t want to stumble over my words and sound like a dork.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Matthew 6:7-8
We must be careful with our promises
Have you ever been in a panic and made a promise to God only to forget about it later? Maybe you were on some emotional high and made a rash promise to God? I am pretty sure I have done this too. I’m also pretty sure I have made promises when I was fearful, when I really wanted something, or when the guilt of my sin drove me to my knees.
Promises born out of the heat of the moment are usually forgotten and not kept.
If we make a promise to to God, the Almighty, then we need to be quick to follow through. It should become our priority that is fulfilled without excuses. We need to be as good as our word. As a matter of fact Deuteronomy 23:21-23 tells us that failure to complete our promise is sin and a foolish disregard of God. It is actually better not to make a promise at all.
“You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.” Deuteronomy 23:23
But there is always good news. Though we need to be more reverent with our worship (both inside of church and out) particularly in our words and promises, we belong to a God of mercy and grace. Christ was punished for all the broken promises, and our slate is clean so we can wake tomorrow to a new day and a new opportunity to glorify God with our words and worship Him in a way that is befitting to one who is mighty and holy.
Week Four Challenge: Making promises to God is a weighty and serious undertaking. What promises have we already made to God and forgotten to follow through with them? Let’s repent of our words spoken in haste and resolve to take the things of God more seriously.
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Week Four Reading Plan:
Week Four Memory Verse:
I am definitely at fault for this one, I am so overwhelmed in my daily life that I do forget my promises to GOD. I am grateful that he loves me enough to allow to see my faults and correct them, because I am trying with all me heart and soul to get to know him so I can be complete and live according to his word, but I must be careful in my words and promises to him, so being today I will not take my promises to GOD for granted. I will live up to every promise that I make to GOD by remembering that GOD is first in all my thoughts and keep asking for his wisdom in my life, you see I allow my thoughts in my daily to come first before the promise that I have made to God. I ask God for forgiveness today and to keep me walking on a straight and narrow path when It comes to the promises that I make to OUR FATHER. I thank GOD for LLG, it has allow me to become a women who wants GOD teaching and love like never before. I know this will be a long journey, but as long as I have women from this BLOG to follow I will be OK! Thank you
Kimbly that was beautiful! <3 You poured out your heart and He will honor you for that. I love that we can repent, turn and begin walking the straight path when we realize we were wrong. God is so amazing and His love for us so gracious and true. God always gives us what we need and we are blessed that He is using these women to teach you truth <3 ~Sheila, LGG Encourager
I also need a home group! I am from Daytona Beach, FL, can someone or anyone help me with this promise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh Father God, I know that You are Holy, forgive me for the times, when my mouth isn’t being guarded for speaking careless words especially in thoughts that even no one hears them, You know them for there is nothing hidden from You. Please forgive me for my displeasing words and thoughts, I repent of it right now. Forgive for the time I am lacking decipline in my life. Thank you father God for the forgiveness of sins, in Jesus most Holy name the name above all names, Amen.
Beautiful prayer Marilyn! I think we are all praying in unity today <3 May God rapture our hearts and guide our words. ~Sheila, LGG Encourager
I’ve made the promise to God that I would pay close attention in church and to sing the songs with a joyful and reverent heart…and then once I’ve gotten to church, I’ve forgotten this promise and have instead focused on keeping my children quiet. Church could have been a great time of worship and I instead went back on my promise and just went through the motions with a distracted heart. (I can relate to you, Jen!) Solomon’s words in chapter 5 verses 4 and 5 really spoke to my heart. I’m praying that I will reflect on them regularly and change my personal daily worship times and my times of worship at church into a more intimate and focused time with the Lord. Thank you for this blog post!
Ouch! Awesome words! Thank you!!
Ouch I agree whole heartedly they were awesome words to hear today and forever. I have made myself a promise to watch what I say and use my words wisely. thank you Beth Moore.
I surrender!
I made a vow when I was younger to never marry. I was hurting and angry when I made it. But I do want to get married. I know God will forgive broken promises but will he forgive this vow made in anger? Will he release me from it? Or is it set in stone and I have to follow through? I wish I’d never said it and it’s been bothering me
I made a vow when I was younger to never marry. I was hurting and angry when I made it. But I do want to get married. I know God will forgive broken promises but will he forgive this vow made in anger? Will he release me from it? Or is it set in stone and I have to follow through? I wish I’d never said it and it’s been bothering me
In a similar situation, would love some commentary on this.
There is no question in my mind there is forgiveness for rash vows. God made us to marry (remember the scriptures that say “It is not good for man to be alone” and “It is good every man have a wife and every woman have a husband”?) and exceptions to that I believe are rare. Look at Numbers 30 and pay special attention to verse 8; then place our self in the wife’s position (we are the bride of Christ; He is our husband). Jesus absolutely has the power to release us from rash and foolish vows. He came to give us life and life in abundance and paid a dear price for our freedom, forgiveness, and to loose us of bondage so we can live the life God called us to live!!!