I was once invited to participate in a golf tournament at a really nice course. I ended up playing in a group with the guy who designed the course and was hosting the event. Unfortunately it was raining that day, so he decided to stop after 9 holes, but he offered to bring the rest of our group back out to play on a nicer day. I made sure to follow up with him to take advantage of his generous offer, but I never heard back.
A commitment is only valuable if you actually follow through and pay it off. The promise of a round of golf is meaningless if you never get to play. In the Bible, Hannah made a great promise to give her future first-born son to life long service of God. Eventually, she did give birth and the time came for her to keep her word. The example of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:22-28 shows us three important components of following through on our commitments.
21 The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. 22 But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, “As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the LORD and dwell there forever.” 23 Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the LORD establish his word.” So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. 24 And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the LORD. 27 For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him. 28 Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD.” And he worshipped the LORD there. – 1 Samuel 1:21-28
- Paying it off will involve preparation
Between making her vow to the Lord and actually dedicating her son, Hannah spends time raising Samuel. She intentionally takes care of her son so that she can give her best offering to the Lord. We also need to be intentional to obey God each day so that we will be prepared when He calls us to bigger tasks.
- Paying it off involves cooperation
Elkanah plays an important role in Hannah’s vow by encouraging obedience instead of pushing back or looking for a way to keep his son. We should likewise encourage our fellow believers to be obedient to God. Working together as Christians makes it much easier for all of us to remain committed to Christ as individuals.
- Paying it off involves exaltation
Hannah did not bring Samuel to the temple reluctantly, but she came with an abundant offering. Obedience to God is not a solemn occasion when we miss out on something good. It is a joyful opportunity to worship God and show the world that He is our greatest blessing.
A commitment to honor God is worthless if we do not follow through. Let’s be intentional to remain faithful to God and encourage others to do the same.
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