This, My Vow

1
This, My Vow

• Words

2
What I have vowed?

• Jonah 27-9 (NIV)
• "When my life was ebbing away,
• I remembered you, Lord,
• and my prayer rose to you,
• to your holy temple.
• 8 "Those who cling to worthless idols
• forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
• 9 But I, with a song of thanksgiving,
• will sacrifice to you.
• What I have vowed I will make good.

3
Our view of God

• Psalm 2224-25 (NIV)
• For he has not despised or disdained
• the suffering of the afflicted one
• he has not hidden his face from him
• but has listened to his cry for help.
• 25 From you comes the theme of my praise in
  the great assembly
• before those who fear you will I fulfill
  my vows.

4
What is a Vow?

• Vowis a transaction between a person and his/her
  deity whereby a person undertakes in the future
  to render some service, gift, or devotes
  something valuable to the deities use.

5
What have you devoted to Gods use?

• 1 Cor. 616-19 (NIV)1
• Do you not know that he who unites himself
  with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it
  is said, "The two will become one flesh." 17
  But he who unites himself with the Lord is one
  with him in spirit.
• 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other
  sins a man commits are outside his body, but he
  who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19
  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the
  Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have
  received from God? You are not your own
• 1 Romans 121 (NIV)
• Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of
  God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living
  sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is
  your spiritual act of worship.

6
Taking vows is a serious matter!

• Eccles. 54-7 (NIV)
• When you make a vow to God, do not delay in
  fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools1
  fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to vow
  than to make a vow and not fulfill it. 6 Do not
  let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not
  protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a
  mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say
  and destroy the work of your hands? 7 Much
  dreaming and many words are meaningless.
  Therefore stand in awe of God.
• 1 Fool-referring to the dull or obstinate one,
  referring not to mental deficiency, but to a
  propensity to make wrong choices refers to a way
  of life that is enticing to the immature, but can
  lead to destruction and ruin.

7
I have taken an oath

• Psalm 119105-108 (NIV)
• Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light
  for my path.
• 106 I have taken an oath and confirmed
  (perform) it, that I will follow your righteous
  laws.
• 107 I have suffered much preserve my life,
  O Lord, according to your word.
• 108 Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of
  my mouth, and teach me your laws.

8
May my words be pleasing unto Thee

• Psalm 1912-14 (NIV)
• Who can discern his errors?
• Forgive my hidden faults.
• 13 Keep your servant also from willful
  sins
• may they not rule over me.
• Then will I be blameless,
• innocent of great transgression.
• 14 May the words of my mouth and the
  meditation of my heart
• be pleasing in your sight,
• O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.