April 24, Your Promises

Today’s reading: Psalms 116-120

“I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
in the presence of all his people” - Psalm 116:7.

There are times when you make commitments, only to find later that circumstances make them difficult to fulfill. Some are small things like, “I’ll call you soon” and then you don’t call the person, or “I’ll be praying for you” and then neglect to pray. Some are more major commitments such as, “I am going to pray 30 minutes every day” or “I pledge to give $1,000 toward that church project.” Still others are songs sung in church: “I seek You only, Lord” or “You are my all,” only to find that you don’t live up to your promise to seek or remain true. Jesus told a short parable to emphasize the importance of not saying the right thing but doing it: “‘What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted?’ ‘The first,’ they answered’ (Matthew 21:28-31). Are there promises you have hanging over your life that you have not fulfilled? What are you prepared to do about them? Remember, it’s better to not promise and do than to promise and not do.