My mom always said..."Don't make promises you can't keep"

We all make promises...often I find myself making promises I know I won't keep to my friends. I make promises like, "Yeah, I'll call you later," or "Let's get together soon - coffee, lunch, dinner?" I make these promises to myself too, I'll exercise everyday this week, I'll keep the house spotless all week, the list could go on.... I do this same thing to God. I'm not proud of it - but I do it. God, I promise I will spend more time with you and in your word. Lord, I will give my entire life and heart to you and my ENTIRE day I will focus on you and your plan for my life. While these promises are noble I can hear in the back of my mind the old phrase, "don't make promises you can't keep. Tonight, I learned this isn't just some old saying, it's biblical.

In Ecclesiastes 5: 4-6a the author (probably Solomon) says: "When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow that to make a vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin."

There is so much packed into this scripture. Ecclesiastes 5 is focused on standing in awe of God. I am wasting my time spitting out empty promises to a God who is so much bigger and wiser than me. Instead of trying to make promises to Him I can't keep I will focus on standing in awe of Him. I will declare His might, His glory, His love, His creation, and I will stand in awe that a God who controls the waves, who can move mountains, who made the sun stand still would love me. I will meditate on His sovereignty and grace and mercy.