Devotional: Marriage and Family Vows Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6

“If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth” (Num. 30:2, NASB).

One day several years ago my daughter hears me express displeasure in how things were in the house. My daughter asks me, “If you are not happy, why do you stay?” I reply in simple words “because of you.” Several years later my daughter tells me that she had thought that I did not want her. Now I realize that I had not explained what I meant. I did not tell her that I stayed because I loved her and I believe that when we do not keep our vows there is a price to be paid. I failed to tell her that I was under an obligation to the Lord to always be active in her life. I think that this is because in our culture today we do not take seriously the vows that we make. It is a subject that we seldom talk about.

The scriptures above tell us that vows are serious. First, vows are made to the Lord. Secondly, vows are binding. One is not free to ignore the words stated in a vow. One is not free to break the vow. Now, I’m not sure of what promises are made when couples get married today. I do know why I said my vows, and I fully understood what I was doing when I took my marriage vows. I promised to Place my wife above everyone else in my life. I promised that for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health I would keep my wife until death separates us. Thus, I also promised to always be in the life of my child/children.

Now, I know that this is considered old fashion and that I will be accused of trying to live by the Law, and we are not saved by the Law. My reply is this: Are you saying that a person is free to break a promise? Has God changed His mind? Has God changed His principles and standards? If vows can be broken, how can I be sure that God will not break His promises? How do I know that God will not change His mind and decide that the death of Jesus on the cross will no longer be sufficient to save me from my sins and give me eternal life? I believe that it is time for us to take seriously all of our vows.

Prayer: Lord I thank you for the gift of vows. I believe that I should keep my vows just as I expect you to keep your promises. Amen.