So, when I was in undergrad, i made a deal with God. I said something like: If you will get me a degree, I will apply to seminary. God did his end, and I did inquire about a degree at seminary. But I didn’t apply. 7, 8 years later, and I find the M. Div. application in my room while straightening up. If you make a deal with God, keep your end. Because if not He may mess up your life. Now my life’s not a mess. But God knew I wouldn’t keep my end. And He kept His anyway.
I think about how many of the covenants in the Old Testament are unilateral. The Covenant with Adam and Eve: Unilateral. Covenant with Noah: Unilateral. Now the Abrahamic Covenant, Abraham was supposed to be faithful to follow and obey God. He did make his share of mistakes (don’t we all). The Covenant with David, if His sons kept the Lord’s ways, they would sit on their Father’s throne. And Jesus will sit on the throne of David at the end of the tribulation period, reigning in this Age and in the Ages to come. God always keeps His end of the deal.
Now, knowing a bit about human nature, there are probably some of you who have done as I have done. First, repent. Humble yourself before God, confess Your sin of oath-breaking. If possible, fulfill Your vow. If not, fall on His mercy and grace received through the Lord Jesus. And here’s the kicker: Don’t make any more promises! Let your “yes be yes” and your “no be no.” If you say you will do something, do everything you can to do it. If you tell someone (or God) you won’t do something, don’t do it!
Jesus knew how damaging oaths could be to our relationship to God. And God will forgive if we will confess and repent. But we are fickle, deceitful, and we have a tendency to sin. If it is in your heart to pledge to God, affirm your intent, and do it unconditionally. No matter what happens to me, Lord, I intend.. (to go to church, read my bible, tithe) whatever. But do not swear. Because there is a cost to oath-breaking.
“Do not swear by Heaven, for it is God’s throne, nor the Earth, for it is His footstool,” Don’t swear by the Temple, don’t swear at all. God knows what you will and won’t do. Know yourself. Know your weaknesses. and Know that God longs to be gracious to You, whatever your situation is.
Hope that helps. That’s my intent as well. Affirm my intent to Him, ask for His grace to do His will. I ask for a lot of things from God. But it’s the relationship with God/Jesus that is the one good thing. In Alcoholics Anonymous, they ask only to know God’s will (as they understand God) and the grace to accomplish it. What if that were the only thing our heart’s desired? I think God would honor that.
Again, hope that helps.
Trem