HINDRANCES TO FAITH: Making Vows

Anchor Scripture: Hebrews 11: 6

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." 

Focus Scripture: “Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” – Ecclesiastes 5: 6 

Admonition

Greetings from the Throne of Grace!

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Sometimes, via certain teachings that point to some events in the Bible, men try to impress God and or try to “force the hand of God” to do certain things that ordinarily, He wouldn’t do. However, with deep and serious instructions from my Teacher, the Holy Spirit of God, I have been made to know that such teachings are wrong. One thing that is very clear is that no one can impress God or force him to do anything. Part of the commonest examples of such teachings that point to the case of Hannah, the mother of Samuel, and King Solomon who offered thousands of sheep and cows as offering unto God, and God later blessed him. I am trusting the Holy Spirit for an opportunity, and very soon, too, to spiritually analyze these parts of the Bible.

Of such teachings and beliefs that without vows, God will not answer prayers was the case of Jephthah, who was invited by the Gileadites, to come and help them in a war against the children of Ammon in Judges 11. Ordinarily, the Ammonites are but an abomination unto the Lord (Deuteronomy 23: 2 – 4) and God already promised that our enemies shall be smitten right before our face and those that rise against us shall flee before us (Deuteronomy 28: 7; Psalm 125: 3). If one believes in the promises of God, why making vows to God as if God needs anything from us (Acts 17: 24 – 25).

By knowing that he needed to approach God first before dabbling into that war, Jephthah was a man who knew God. However, he walked himself out of reckoning by making a vow that caused him sorrow, unto God, saying, “Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.” (Judges 11: 31) And so it happened that that “whatsoever” turned out to be his only daughter. So Jephthah became sorrowful and subtly regretted the vow he made before the Lord. The Bible says, “And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.” (Judges 11: 35)

The tone of his voice is that of regret, which is what happens to many of us who have imbibed such teachings that encourage us to back our prayers with vows to God. The truth, beloved brethren, is that according to the book of Acts of Apostles 17: 24 – 25, God doesn’t need anything from us (to answer our prayers); He answers prayers based on merits; we shall, I believe God for the opportunity, explore prayer, too, soon. The Psalmist says in Psalm 115: 3 thus: “But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” The meaning of that Scripture is that God cannot be forced to do anything. And in Isaiah 46: 10, He promised to accomplish His purpose and do all His Will. That is to say that if your prayers are not according to His Will and purpose, your vows means nothing to Him. Again in Isaiah 55: 8 – 11, He says He will do according to His Word because according to Psalm 138: 2c, He has magnified His Word above all His names. These mean that if your prayers are not according to His Word, backing it up with vows is a sheer waste of time.

 So, looking at Jephthah’s mission against the Ammonites, it met all the requirements that could have made God give him victory effortlessly as He did for Gideon in Judges 7: 19 – 25. Jephthah didn’t need bring himself into unnecessary sorrow by vowing at all.

As we round off this morning, let it be known that people who believe in vowing before God, like Jephthah, may not FINISH STRONG because Jesus Christ has warned that “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9: 62). Yes, there are men who vow and pay their vows without regretting as Jephthah did, but since God doesn’t need anything from us (save for our hearts that must be right with Him) and if our prayers are according to His Will and purpose and in line with His Word; we sincerely don’t need any vows. What is worst are even those who vow, but either refuse or forget to fulfill their vows. The forgetfulness happens a lot and it is a terrible one before God. The book of Ecclesiastes 5: 5 - 6 says, “Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands? I pray God grants us understanding in Jesus’ name. amen

So, finally this morning, our goal as true children of God is to FINISH STRONG. However, anyone that vows, but forgets or refuses to fulfill their vows or regrets ever vowing, as Jephthah did, before fulfilling such vows are under the danger of the anger of God. If this be so, none who comes under the anger of God will FINISH STRONG with Him. It therefore follows that since we have the desire and the hope of FINISHING STRONG with God, LET US AVOID VOWING BECAUSE IT DOES NOT EVEN MATTER TO GOD. It is blatant spiritual ignorance and their own selfish purposes that make some preachers preach that God answers prayers that are backed with vows faster that the ones that are not. Jesus says, "let your nay be nay and your yes be yes. May the Lord enlighten our hearts of understanding in Jesus Christ’s mighty name. Amen.

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Till tomorrow when we shall meet again on this beautiful journey of FINISHING STRONG together, please, keep keeping on in Him!

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N.B. Please, pray that God will, by His mercy, forgive and cleanse from before Him, all your past vows, fulfilled and unfulfilled, in Jesus Christ’s mighty name. Amen.

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