20th July 2021
VOWS
David Abankwah
READ: Genesis 28:10-22; 31:3
⁴When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed — ⁵Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.
-Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 | NKJV
Let’s look at this story and appreciate it. Ever since the beginning, the girl’s family members had disagreed with her relationship with the boy. Saying that, because of family background, if she insisted on being together with the boy, she would suffer for her whole lifetime. Because of the pressure applied by family members, she frequently quarrelled with him. The girl loves the boy, and she used to ask him, ‘How much do you love me?’ Because the guy was not good with words, he used to make her angry and with additional comment from her parents, her mood got even worse. Later, the boy graduated from University. He planned to further his studies overseas.
But before he left, he proposed to the girl…‘I, don’t know how to say nice words but I do know that I love you. If you agree, I am willing to take care of you, the whole life. About your family members, I will work hard to convince them to agree on us.’ ‘Marry me, will you?,’ the girl agreed. And her parents, looking at the effort shown by the boy, agreed with him. Finally, before the boy went overseas, they were engaged. They maintained their relationship through telephone and letters. Although time was difficult to get through with, both of them never gave up. One day, the girl left home for work as usual on her way to the bus stop. A car lost control and knocked her down.
As she awakened from unconsciousness, she saw her parents and realized how seriously she was hurt and how fortunate of her, not to get killed. But then, she found out that she couldn’t even spell out a word. She tried her best to make some voice but all she managed, was to breath without any voice. She is mute. According to the doctor, the injury affected her brain, and that caused her to be mute for the rest of her life. One day, her best friend told her that the boy was back. He was searching all around for her. She asked her best friend not to tell him about her and asked her to tell him to forget her. After that, for more than a year there was no news of the boy.
One day her best friend told her that the boy was getting married soon, and passed the wedding card to her. She opened the card sadly, but she found her name on the card. The moment she wanted to ask her best friend, the boy appeared in front of her. With an unfamiliar sign language, he told her ‘I spent more than a year’s time, to force myself to learn sign language, in order to tell you that I have not forgotten our promise. Give me an opportunity to let me be your voice. I love you.’ Don’t joke with promises and vows. Your salvation can be hindered because of it. Never forget to honour the promises you have made to people and the pledges you have also made to God. Let your yes be yes!
•| Prayer Diary |•
¹Lift up prayers for remembrance of every promise you have made to God and men. ²Ask for the strength and provision to fulfil every single vow, pledge or promise in the name of Jesus Christ.
Quote
“It is only wise people who value the weight of their promises, oaths, or pledges and do everything they can to make them happen”
One-Year Bible Reading Plan
Isaiah Chapters 15-19
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© 2021 David Abankwah
David Abankwah 