We all know this scenario, we’ve seen it in movies and on TV, read it in novels, and perhaps have even had such a circumstance in our own life or someone we know. The type of circumstance I’m referring to is when we find ourselves in a very precarious position, our life is literally in danger, we are hanging on by just the thinnest of strings, and we cry out to God. We make a vow to Him, that if He would only get us out of this terrible spot, we will do this or that for Him. However, once God rescues us from the trouble, the life-threatening circumstance, we forget all about our vow. God and our promises are quickly put out of our mind. That is, until we are in another terrible bind, and we make another faithless vow. Is that right to do? Our psalm today speaks of vows, and how important it is to fulfill our vows, especially ones made to the Lord.
There is a difference between a promise and a vow, and we might not think that breaking a promise to someone is a big matter. A vow is a type of promise, but is one that is a much more serious and solemn promise or pledge. We may have promised someone that we would do something, but then we weren't able to do it because an emergency happened, or we weren’t feeling well. However, a vow is much more serious. When we vow something, nothing, absolutely nothing, should get in our way of fulfilling that vow, which is also why we shouldn’t make vows carelessly, especially if there are chances we might not be able to carry them out.
Psalm 116 begins with the psalmist speaking of his love for the Lord because God heard his cries for help (vs. 1-2). We don’t know what the circumstance was that the psalmist found himself in, but it was life-threatening (vs. 3). It might have been when he was in battle and surrounded by the enemy. Perhaps he was traveling, walking through a hazardous area and he slipped and fell down a ravine, or was attacked by bandits. Or perhaps he was deathly ill. Whatever the circumstance, the psalmist cried out to Yahweh (vs. 4), and made a vow, a solemn oath to Him, that he would do something for Him if only He would deliver him from this deadly problem. God was good to the psalmist, and He delivered him from the deadly circumstance he was in (5-8). Therefore he remembered his vow to Yahweh, and was determined that he would keep his vows (vs. 12-14, 18-19).
A vow is a solemn promise to which one commits himself before God. Biblical vows were always voluntary but once made, God made them compulsory. We may forget our vows, but God never does. It is better not to vow at all, then to vow and not keep our word (Ecclesiastes 5:2, 4-6). When we think of the blessings of the Lord, and all that He has given us through Jesus Christ, we, too, should want to give Him our best, to bring Him a sacrifice. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. He came not to get, but to give. He sacrificed His life for us.
When we are faced with a dire circumstance where we might be tempted to make a vow, and then later when we are deciding whether or not to fulfill our vow to the Lord, we need to remind ourselves of God’s kindness and faithfulness in the past, as it is a practical comfort and help to us in the present (vs. 7). It is good to remind ourselves of God’s faithfulness and the hope we have in Him. We will be encouraged. The same God who has been faithful in the past will continue His love for us in the future.
We love the Lord because, unlike false and pagan gods, He hears and responds to the cries of His people (vs.1-2). He rescues them from trouble (vs. 3-6, 8-11). He cares for us (vs. 7). What shall we give back to the Lord? We can proclaim all of His benefits to us (vs. 12-13). We can pay the vows that we made (vs. 14, 18-19). And we can praise His Name (vs. 15-17). We can proclaim our testimony of what Jesus has done for us.
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