"I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble."
Psalm 66:13-14
Upon Israel’s return from her captivity, she needed reminding of her promises made back when life was bleak.
“I will go into thy house with burnt offerings:”
In the Old Testament economy, sacrifice and offerings were the way that God’s chosen people acknowledged and thanked God for His help to them. Upon their return from captivity, these offerings were resumed in the Temple to thank God for His goodness to them. The psalmist was going to fulfill his obligations with these offerings. The LORD made it clear that no offering would suffice unless it was offered from the heart (Isaiah 1:11). Going through the motions didn’t count with God, but the heart attitude is what mattered.
“I will pay thee my vows, Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken,”
How important it is to keep our word, especially to keep our promises to God. David knew this when he said,
“My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him,” (Psalm 22:25).
He publicly paid his promises to the LORD. “Talk is cheap.” Keeping our word goes to our personal integrity. If you make a commitment, keep it. If you say it, do it. Keep your word.
“When I was in trouble.”
How easy it is to forget the promises we made when times were tough. When Israel was in captivity and at the mercy of their godless captors, it was easy to make promises to God to have His help to get out of those terrible circumstances. But now that they were freed and had returned from their awful plight, life was so much better. How easy it is to forget about the promises made back then when life was harsh. You may forget your promises, but God does not. Your word may not mean much to you, but it means much to God. Keep your word.
“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that, thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6).
Believers, let’s keep our word!