DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Deal or No Deal
by Judy Webb
Vow: a solemn promise, pledge,
or personal commitment; to dedicate or devote by a vow.
Our reading today in Leviticus
can be confusing, or one could simply dismiss it as not applicable to us today.
The lesson is about redeeming a promise or pledge to God. Have you ever found
yourself in a desperate situation and attempted to barter, or bargain with God?
How many of us have cried out to God words like: "Lord, if you will get me
out of this situation, if you will only make the cancer go away, if you will
provide the money I need, I will …" Fill in the blank. Likely we didn't
really mean to strike up a deal with God, but we didn't know how else to fix
the situation.
Making a vow to God was common
practice years ago. Faithful believers of God often showed their love and
devotion by offering up their belongings or dedicating a person to the Lord. In
1st Samuel we read about Hannah, Samuel's mother. She had been unable to
conceive because "the Lord had closed her womb." (1
Samuel 1:5) When she finally conceived and gave birth to Samuel she told her
husband, "After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him
before the Lord, and he will live there always." (v.22)
There are other vows that were
made with evil intent or self-serving motive. In the book of Judges 11:30-31 we
witness such a vow. "Whatever comes out of the door of my house to
meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD’s, and I
will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.” Then Jephthah went over to fight the
Ammonites, and the LORD gave them into his hands. Unfortunately for
Jephthah, it was his only child who appeared at the door.
Praying to God his mercy and his help is different
from making a vow. Especially when our vows are more of a bargain. We think we are striking a
deal with God. When we have faith in God and
believe that he wants the best for us, we only need to pray and trust that his
will be done.
PRAYER PRACTICE
No comments:
Post a Comment