Yesterday the Teacher warned us to listen when we enter the presence of God and not to use a lot of empty words. He further defines this thought today as he continues and warns us about make verbal promises, vows, to God.
4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.
The Teacher continues by saying it would be better to not make a vow rather than vow and not fulfill the promise. A vow is a solemn promise to do something. It reminds me of our poor track record with marriage vows. About 43% of first time marriages for both ends in divorce, 60% of second marriages fail and 73% of third marriages end in divorce. At the same time we soon realize that New Year’s resolutions seldom last th whole year . I listened to a high school graduation speaker recently and all those youthful promises of being friends forever. I could feel the cynicism in my heart. Scams somehow sneak into our computers. Politicians offer what they cannot deliver. Oh my. Are there people of integrity that we can trust.
The Teacher reminds us that God is a being of integrity who keeps his promises and does not idly threaten us. When we bring our concerns to God, we are not chatting with a friend over coffee. So let us pray today for all those who have been burned by schemes, by false promises, by wedding vows gone sour and hurt by the betrayal of friends. Lord, lay your healing hand on those wounds that make it so hard to trust again. And, Lord, help us to be people of integrity so that we can be trusted to keep our word. May our “yes” be yes and our “no” be no. Thank you for forgiveness for the times we fail.
On the Way to Wonder 