Promises Promises

“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it – lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:27-33.)

This is part of the Gospel that has never been popular, but in recent times, has been stripped from most people’s Bibles. Yes, there is a cost to serving the Lord. That does not mean we can buy our salvation or even buy favor with the Lord, but if we want what He has to offer, we need to let go of the worthless things that we so desperately cling to. Oh, we easily promise to forsake all to follow Jesus when we are presented with the glory of the Message. But when push comes to shove, many bounce back from making good on their commitment, and it is at that point that many easily break their promises to the Lord.

Over the years I have heard many prayers of repentance and of recommitment that were just empty words. In fact, I have heard more lies told and empty promises made at the altar than anywhere else! That is why I very seldom make altar calls anymore. Not because I do not believe that people should make commitments to the Lord, but because it is better that we not make a commitment, than make one and not keep it. I would rather have people leave the service and prove their repentance by turning away from that which displeases the Lord than cry long tears at the altar, only to return to their former lifestyle the very next day! We actually insult the Lord and the Spirit of Grace when we make promises we have no real intention or ability to keep.

Jesus seemed to struggle with the same frustration when he said: “A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, Son, go, work today in my vineyard. He answered and said, ‘I will not’, but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir’, but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father? They said to Him, ‘The first.’ Jesus said to them, Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you” (Matthew 21:28-31).

While serving in the military, I was often struck with how religious men became when faced with death. Everyone seemed to pray, read their Bibles and attend chapel. Countless people have promised, and continue to promise, to serve God if he saves them from death in war or in some natural disaster. Yet, how many of those promises are actually kept and how few of those men (and women) actually serve God when the problem has passed? It almost seems that we expect God to understand that we don’t really intend to keep those commitments, just like no one really expects people to keep their New Year’s resolutions.

 

Malachi speaks about a man who, while looking over his flock, is so touched by the Lord’s blessings and goodness that he promises to sacrifice the best to the Lord as a sign of his gratitude. However, when the time comes to fulfill his vow he bounces back and substitutes the animal with a cripple one. The Lord says of such a man: “But cursed (is that) deceiver” (Malachi 1:14).

Should we then not make promises to the Lord? Yes, we should BUT before we make them we should think carefully if we are prepared to, and able to, fulfill the vows we make. It is only a foolish king who goes to war without reckoning first if he has what it will take to conclude the war successfully. A person who starts to build a house and then has to abandon the work because he did not calculate the cost is very stupid. So, before making a promise to the Lord, sit down first and calculate the cost. If you are a preacher, don’t coerce people to make decisions without telling them the whole story about cost of discipleship.

How many promises have you made to the Lord since the beginning of this year? Since the Lord remembers every single one, you had better sit down and remember them also, and not only remember them, but also begin to fulfill them. Hannah promised the Lord that if He gave her a son, she would give that son back to the Lord. Can you imagine how hard it must have been for Hannah to take her baby (he had just been weaned) and to actually leave him at the temple while she returned home? This was indeed, a promise with a greater cost than she could ever have anticipated, but she kept her word! No wonder Samuel became one of the greatest and most anointed men in all Israel’s history!

So, let me appeal to you. Begin right now to make a list of each and every commitment you ever made to the Lord. Write them down and then begin to fulfill your obligations. Yes, the cost may be high, but see if the Lord will not abundantly bless you as you keep your promises to Him.

“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” (Deuteronomy 23:21-23).