Scripture

Our verse for today comes from 2 Samuel 15:8, ” For your servant took a vow while I dwelt at Geshur in Syria, saying, ‘If the Lord indeed brings me back to Jerusalem, then I will serve the Lord.’ ” 

Background

I heard a comedian talking about vegetarianism. He said that he recently became a vegetarian. But he wasn’t a strict vegetarian – he did eat beef and pork, and chicken. That sounds like a level of commitment that even the weakest of us could attain. Back during World War II, someone said that there are no atheists in foxholes. Surveys have since shown that as combat intensified, more than twice as many WW II soldiers relied on prayer as they did under more normal conditions. To determine the lasting impact of their battle experience on their religious life, veterans from all branches of service were surveyed 50 years later. The results showed that soldiers who faced heavy combat attended church 21% more often, while those who described their war experience as positive attended 26% less often. You’ve made a promise or two to God at some point along the way. You’ve asked for help and made a deal. Even if you didn’t verbalize it, your thoughts probably included some level of deeper commitment or devotion if things turned out a certain way. You may have described it as a spiritual renewal or a rededication of some sorts, but deep down, it’s most likely that there was some bargaining going on. 

Application

Rededications are good, and vows are important. Promises should be made to be kept. If God pulled you through a tough time, then you were probably inclined to live up to your word. But if things didn’t turn out so well, what effect did that have on you? Have you gone back and examined your track record? Were too many of your vows the result of the heat of the moment? Even now, does God have to perform for you again to get you from where you are to where you should be? You can say you’re a Christian, but is it you’re not a strict one – you follow your pride, your comforts, and your image? Are there commitments you have made, scriptures you believe, changes that you promised, but the follow through has fallen off? If so, don’t try harder. Confess more, and choose better. 

Charge

As we seek Him today, let your commitments be as simple and powerful as fully trusting God to live His life through you. Try putting down your rights and picking up a cross, and see if that helps your faithfulness. 

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words