1 Samuel 1:22 (NKJV)

“…for she said to her husband, ‘Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the Lord and remain there forever.’”

We, humans, are “amusing” people. In our times of desperation or spiritual elation, we can make outlandish and extravagant promises to God. We make vows to God and then go ahead and forget the vows we made. If God were to hold us to ransom for all the unfulfilled pledges we have made to Him, none of us would survive. But God is gracious and kind. Even when we fail to fulfill our vows, He yet loves us and tenderly cares for us. However, failing to meet your commitment to God speaks more about you than it does about God. It will also make God take you as unserious when next you make a pledge to Him or before Him.

In her time of desperation, Hannah made a vow to God, and when God honored her request, she did not forget the vow. She kept Samuel with her only until the time of weaning, because she knew that when next she would appear before the Lord at Shiloh, she would leave the boy with the Lord forever. She was faithful to her side of the bargain, just as God was faithful to His side. And so must we. God is always faithful, but we often are not. Therefore don’t be quick to make a vow before God, but if you do, note it down somewhere in a book of remembrance. It will not speak well of us, neither will we enjoy God’s full blessings, if we keep breaking the vows we make to Him.

“Lord, I am guilty as anyone else. I have made many vows that I have not kept, and I am deeply sorry for this. Help me Lord Jesus to keep my mouth shut before You; but whenever I do make a vow, may I fulfill it to the full. Amen.”