"Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared" - Psalm 76:1 (NIV).
There was once a woman called Hannah who had a wish that was long in coming. She wished for a child but then she struggled (1 Samuel 1). After travailing in prayer her desire came true. "So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him" (1 Samuel 1:20).
Then something quite unexpected happened. Long before she concieved Hannah had made a vow, praying: "Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head" (vv 11).
So after the birth of Samuel; "When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the Lord and to fulfill his vow, Hannah did not go. She said to her husband, “After the boy is weaned, I will take him and present him before the Lord, and he will live there always" (1 Samuel 1:21-22). Her husband did not object. "Do what seems best to you,” her husband Elkanah told her. “Stay here until you have weaned him; only may the Lord make good his word" (vv 23).
Two things of note here. Hannah made a promise to the Lord which she kept. Everyone one knows it is one thing to make a promise before you receive the treasure. If this was a test Hannah gladly passed. For soon after Samuel was born she did not waiver. She did not look for excuses.
Through Hannah's life we are inspired to persevere in prayer as she did. And if it means making a promise, may the Lord help us, fulfil our vows, for His glory.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that you help me always keep my promises to you and that all glory goes to you, this I pray in Jesus's name.