Promise

²⁸ Pharaoh said, “I will let you go to offer sacrifices to the Lord your God in the wilderness, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me.”

²⁹ Moses answered, “As soon as I leave you, I will pray to the Lord, and tomorrow the flies will leave Pharaoh and his officials and his people. Only let Pharaoh be sure that he does not act deceitfully again by not letting the people go to offer sacrifices to the Lord.”

³⁰ Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord, ³¹ and the Lord did what Moses asked. The flies left Pharaoh and his officials and his people; not a fly remained. ³² But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go. (Exodus 8:28-32)

How many times have you made a promise or vow to the Lord and you did not fulfill it? Maybe you got sick, and you promised the Lord that you will prioritize Him again, as soon as He heals you. Maybe you said, “Lord, if you will give me this job (or whatever), I promise you that I will serve you (or do something spiritual), etc.” But have you done it? Many times when we are in dire situations we cry out to God. We make promises. We negotiate. We make deals. God in His mercy may answer our prayers and deliver us from whatever trial we may be experiencing. But how soon do we forget? This shows that our hearts are really deceitful. We cry out to God only because we need Him. But as soon as our situations change, and things get better, we forget. Or maybe we don’t really forget; we just choose not to remember. God desires our willing obedience, not our grudging compliance. God is merciful to us, and He continues to reach out to us, even in our stubbornness. But let the kindness of God lead you to repentance. Do not harden your heart. Turn from sin, and turn to Him in humble submission, because it is for your own good that He is allowing these trials to come your way. You just need to acknowledge your total and absolute need of Him, and stop being so self-sufficient. Your pride will be your downfall. You cannot mock God. You will reap what you sow, if you do not repent right now. So stop making promises to God. Instead, have a change of heart right now and turn to Him. He will not just answer your prayers; He will also change your life. And that’s a promise from God’s word.