Promises

This time of year people make New Year Resolutions. A resolution is a promise made. It’s made to yourself and/or to others. It’s a promise that you will change or do something new or different in your life.

Some of those promises could be that you will cut back on the amount of television you watch. It may be a promise to exercise more. Some people promise to eat better foods or go to church more frequently. Reading your Bible through in a year could be a resolution. There are many resolutions people make. They make these resolutions to make themselves into what they think is a better person.

I used to make resolutions every year and I would start them on January 2^nd. January 1^st seemed to be a difficult day to start something new. It is always a day off work and there was typically snack food to eat all day and football to watch.

I heard that the gyms were full to crowded this year on January 2^nd and 3^rd. The same thing happens every year. People scramble to do what they promised themselves they would do.  The fresh vegetables and fruit go on sale and people stock up. They want to fulfill their promise to eat better.

The problem with these good intentions is that the majority of them don’t last. By the end of February the gyms are less crowded. Cakes and ice cream are being purchased more than in January. The television is on more. The diet seems to be waning. The Bible is closed on the table. These were good intentions, but they didn’t last. Why do you think this happens? January is not a magical time to start something, even if you feel that thing may be better for you.

Don’t get me wrong, many people stick with their resolution. They went on that diet and stayed on it until they lost the weight they wanted. The Gym have people who make it a priority to be there. In some homes the television is off more and books are being read. Good for them!

I stopped doing resolutions because I didn’t keep some of them. I told myself I would do something and a few weeks or months into it I stopped. I wasn’t motivated anymore to do what I promised. Or it became too difficult. Other things got in the way of me doing what I had promised. Then I realized: I lied to myself. I made a promise I didn’t keep. My intention was not to lie, but I had. I felt terrible when I realized what I did.

What does the Lord feel about promises? A promise or resolution is a vow or agreement. It’s like a contract and it should not be broken. The Bible talks about vows. Numbers 30:2: If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. Deuteronomy 23:21-23: When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you. But if you abstain from vowing, it shall not be sin to you. That which has gone from your lips you shall keep and perform, for you voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth.

The Lord keeps all His promises. Shouldn’t we keep the promises we make? If I make a promise, vow, or Resolution I should keep it even if it is to myself. I don’t make a promise, vow, or resolution unless I know I will keep it. Does that mean I never try to change areas in my life I need to change? No. I work on making the change. I change course and make adjustments in my life to change areas I need to change. I try not to get angry with myself if I have failed. I just do better the next moment.

I want to change in areas where the Lord asks me to change. I ask Him to help me to change and to remind me when I forget. The Lord is a loving Father who will help you to do what He asks of you.

Memorize: Numbers 30:2a: If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by some agreement, he shall not break his word;

Verses in NKJV unless otherwise stated.