Vows to the Lord

[ElectedbyHim]

I have been reading a devotional since the beginning of March and find it very edifying.

This mornings devotional caught my interest on vows to the Lord.

I am wondering if anyone here makes vows to the Lord, I never have and never heard of this to my knowledge. My understanding is this is like making a promise to God.

Also, I am new to the author of this devotional and his writing style and do not think I misread him

Any thoughts on this?


MARCH 24

Vows to the Lord

I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. Psalm 116:14
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Deuteronomy 23:15–25


David’s steadfast piety now shines forth in his willingness to fulfill the vows he made to God when he was in the midst of danger. He did not forget those promises, as most people do. When the hand of God lies heavy upon them, many people ask for God’s help, but shortly after receiving that help they soon bury in oblivion the deliverance that they have received.

In speaking of the true worship of God, the Holy Spirit properly connects by an indissoluble bond these two parts of worship: “Call upon me in the day of trouble” and, after your deliverance, glorify me (Ps. 50:15). If any regard it absurd for the faithful to enter into a covenant with God by making vows to him in hopes of procuring his approbation, I must explain that they do not promise the sacrifice of praise to soothe him by their flatteries, as if he were a mortal like themselves. Also, they do not attempt to bind God to themselves by proposing some reward, for David previously protested that he would not offer any recompense.

The intent of vows, first, is that the children of God may have their hearts strengthened with the confidence of obtaining whatever they ask. Second, it is that they may be stimulated to offer up more gratitude to God for his mercies. The privilege of vowing may surely be conceded to the children of God in their infirmity, for by this means their most merciful Father allows them to enter into familiar conversation with him, provided they make their vows for the right purpose. Whatever happens, nothing may be attempted without God’s permission.

FOR MEDITATION: Many of us might be uncomfortable making vows to God, thinking of that as bargaining with the Almighty. But if we are able to leave behind the notion of repaying God (as David did), such vows can be a great stimulus for praise, worship, and service. How have you “paid” your vows “unto the LORD”?


John Calvin and Joel R. Beeke, 365 Days with Calvin

 

[Fred]

I think vows are acceptable to God. There are of stories of people who are in a terrible situation and say something like, "God, if you get me out of this awful quagmire I will...."
And then something is added. Didn't this happen to John Newton?



1 Samuel 1:9-11
9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.
11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O Lord of hosts, if Thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of Thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget Thine handmaid, but wilt give unto Thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

 

[Hazelelponi]

I have been reading a devotional since the beginning of March and find it very edifying.

This mornings devotional caught my interest on vows to the Lord.

I am wondering if anyone here makes vows to the Lord, I never have and never heard of this to my knowledge. My understanding is this is like making a promise to God.

Also, I am new to the author of this devotional and his writing style and do not think I misread him

Any thoughts on this?


MARCH 24

Vows to the Lord

I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. Psalm 116:14
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Deuteronomy 23:15–25


David’s steadfast piety now shines forth in his willingness to fulfill the vows he made to God when he was in the midst of danger. He did not forget those promises, as most people do. When the hand of God lies heavy upon them, many people ask for God’s help, but shortly after receiving that help they soon bury in oblivion the deliverance that they have received.

In speaking of the true worship of God, the Holy Spirit properly connects by an indissoluble bond these two parts of worship: “Call upon me in the day of trouble” and, after your deliverance, glorify me (Ps. 50:15). If any regard it absurd for the faithful to enter into a covenant with God by making vows to him in hopes of procuring his approbation, I must explain that they do not promise the sacrifice of praise to soothe him by their flatteries, as if he were a mortal like themselves. Also, they do not attempt to bind God to themselves by proposing some reward, for David previously protested that he would not offer any recompense.

The intent of vows, first, is that the children of God may have their hearts strengthened with the confidence of obtaining whatever they ask. Second, it is that they may be stimulated to offer up more gratitude to God for his mercies. The privilege of vowing may surely be conceded to the children of God in their infirmity, for by this means their most merciful Father allows them to enter into familiar conversation with him, provided they make their vows for the right purpose. Whatever happens, nothing may be attempted without God’s permission.

FOR MEDITATION: Many of us might be uncomfortable making vows to God, thinking of that as bargaining with the Almighty. But if we are able to leave behind the notion of repaying God (as David did), such vows can be a great stimulus for praise, worship, and service. How have you “paid” your vows “unto the LORD”?


John Calvin and Joel R. Beeke, 365 Days with Calvin

I won't say what it was but I have made a vow to God.

I made it before I was saved but it's definitely something God can and will hold me to, to the last - in His way.

But He can do that not because I made a vow, but because He is my sovereign Creator and my life is truly His, even had I made no vow.

When we give our word to something it's binding though, so we should be careful about giving our word to anything, we should be certain we can keep our word. Our God is a God of Covenants, we must reflect that in our character appropriately.

And then of course it should be noted there's no point promising to God what's already His.

On the other hand, sometimes we are just that emotionally despondent because for a time, we knew we didn't know God and didn't know what to trust anymore.

 

[ElectedbyHim]

Many of us might be uncomfortable making vows to God, thinking of that as bargaining with the Almighty. But if we are able to leave behind the notion of repaying God (as David did), such vows can be a great stimulus for praise, worship, and service. How have you “paid” your vows “unto the LORD”?

I think I would feel like I am bargaining with God.

After reflecting on this, I am certain I have done this in the past with sin in my life.

Lord if only you would deliver me from cigarettes, I will do such and such.

Of course He did deliver me in His time when He showed me that I was not a slave to sin and had the choice to quit at any time.