A great many people have made promises to God when they found themselves in trouble. They often promise God that they will live better lives or even give their lives in service for him. But when they are well again or the trouble has passed (even though God in mercy may have helped them), they often forget all that they promised him. Of course some do keep their promises and live to thank God for the experiences which brought them closer to him. The Psalmist apparently must have been through a similar situation. In verse 3 and in verse 8 he tells us what deep suffering had come upon him. Then he cried unto God (v.4) and promised that he would do certain things if God delivered him. God did what he asked. Then the Psalmist's question was: How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness? He decided that he must publicly tell all the people what God had done and he must do what he had promised God when he was still in desperate trouble. It could be that he had said he would give God certain offerings or gifts and he knew that now was the time to fulfill his promise. He does it in a very happy grateful spirit. In fact he closes that Psalm with one great shout, 'Hallelujah!' - Praise the Lord. Are you careful to give God what you have promised? Are you a good steward of what he has given you? God asks, for example, for the first one-tenth of all that he gives to us. Too many Christians are holding back on giving that tenth to God and our churches are suffering because of it. If God's people gave to God all that is due to him, there would be no lack in the finances of our churches or our missionary societies. What are you doing with all God has given you. Is there anything you have promised God which you are still holding on to? What did the Psalmist say, 'I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people'. REMEMBER: God looks not at what you give but at what you have left after you have given. |
沒有留言:
張貼留言