Daily Worship

Promises

Albert Bogle January 14, 2014 0 0

Ecclesiastes 5: 4-7

When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear

Lord,
When I say 
I’ll do something 
do you believe me?
Do others believe me?

I’m sorry I’m so undependable
Sometimes I’m just fickle
I withhold my promise
because things haven’t gone my way
I know I could do more 
The thing is 
I can so  easily forget the promises I make.

I never increased my offering
When I said I would

I never made the phone call
When I said I would

I never prayed along with my friend.
When I said I would

You see Lord,
I get over confident 
I make the promise
It makes me look good
Then when all is well or not so well
I back track
I’m great at re-interpreting the things I said I would do!

Lord,
I don’t want to be mean.
So why do I do things I don’t want to do?
And Why do I leave undone the things I’ve promised?

Lord forgive me
I’ve  promised so much over the years
And delivered so little
I make excuses
I say it’s the wrong time
I say I’ll get round to it

Today Lord,
Before I make any more promises
I’m going to start honouring the back log
Give me the grace and the courage 
to fulfil my promises

 

written by Albert Bogle, St Andrew's Church, Bo'ness