Do you remember the last time you made a vow or promised someone to do something, and then later, found out that, for some strange reason, the promise that you made had not been fulfilled?

The other day, I made a couple of vows as well:

1) to attend church regularly, and

2) to donate more of my time to worthwhile projects or actions that would involve making this world a better place to live in.

But daily routines such as shopping, cleaning our house, driving to various meetings, doctor's and dentist's appointments, laundry, and preparing meals filled my days. By the time I thought about my vow, a week had passed by, and the vow in making this world just a little bit better had been neglected — swept under the carpet by making excuses and putting my priorities in the wrong place.

Ecclesiastes 5:5 – It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. (NASB)

I remember when my husband and I made promises to each other over 47 years ago: "To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."

My husband had a mini stroke over two years ago, and there are times when I get frustrated by certain actions on his part. But there are good times as well. The temptation to leave and make excuses is very easy, but then, I think of my vow, "In sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part." It is by the grace of God that I am able to fulfill my promise and cope on a daily basis.

Sometimes, things happen that are unexpected, tragic, and horrifying, when our vows are broken, despite our best efforts, and cannot be mended. It is in those times that we need to call upon the grace and mercy of Jesus in repentant humility. He is our Saviour and Redeemer, Who knows what we are going through, and Who promises to forgive us.

Psalm 86:5 – For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. (NKJV)

Prayer: Merciful God, You must get very tired of hearing our broken promises and vows that we can't seem to stick to. You also know what is in our hearts and why sometimes we can't stick to the vows that we have made. You know the situations that we are in, and You are there with us, forgiving us when we can't seem to forgive ourselves. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share on Facebook

About the author:

Rosemary Hagedorn <rosyhagedorn@gmail.com>
Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada
Send your feedback to the author