Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Performing the Vow
(I Samuel 1:20-23)
Making promises to God is serious business. While one may easily make “resolutions” to himself—and break them just as easily—it is a different matter to make a covenant with the Lord. Once one has uttered a promise—a vow—to God, he is bound by holy duty to keep it. In fact, the Bible teaches that it is better to never make a promise to God than to make a promise and break it later (Eccl. 5:4). Holy vows should be honored, even if it means suffering and sacrifice on the part of the one who made the vow.
Hannah had promised to give Samuel to the Lord for his entire lifetime. Of course, he could not be presented for tabernacle duty while an infant. After he was a few years old (“weaned” in the KJV), Hannah determined to dedicate Samuel to the Lord’s service. She understood that her promise meant Samuel’s lifelong dedication to the Lord’s cause—and his ongoing physical separation from her.
Valiantly, Hannah did as she had promised; and Samuel became God’s mouthpiece in Israel. As a spiritual woman, Hannah instinctively knew how long to hold on and when to let go. In letting Samuel go, she fulfilled her commitment to God—unknowingly giving to Israel the voice of spiritual guidance so desperately needed in those days. Her personal sacrifice and commitment to her vows blessed the entire nation.
Keeping commitments always brings blessing—both to oneself and to others. Hannah was blessed with additional children (2:20, 21); and Israel was blessed with a man of God who would unfailingly reveal God’s perfect will for His people.
