A Fool's Promise

"When you make a vow to God, waste no time in fulfilling it, for He takes no pleasure in fools. Do what you vowed." - Ecclesiastes 5:3

I've become so cautious lately of what I promise to people and to God. I think our culture has forgotten the value and power of words. We take lightly what we give as our word and promises are no longer promises. More importantly, how many times do the words, "I swear to God," come out of our mouths? Or how many times have we been in a bind and tell God, "I promise that if You do this for me I'll pray every day and go to church every Sunday!" King Solomon, who wrote Ecclesiastes, had a term for us when we use this language often - fools. Only a fool, someone who is ignorant, can throw around promises and vows. I don't want to be a fool before God any longer and am working on letting my yes' be yes' and my no's be no's. Be a person of your word. Be a person of integrity. If you do make a promise to someone, fulfill it so people respect you and not take you for a flake. And if you make a promise to God, fulfill it because you're underestimating the power of His right hand.

Today's Prayer:
Lord, help me to be a person of integrity. Put in me the resolution to be truthful and not fool myself and others with promises I can't keep. Help me to fulfull all I have promised to You and others to the best of my ability. In Your Name we pray, amen.