A vow is a very special act. A promise is not as strong as a vow.
Some have repented and nothing has happened, but have they, like Jacob, pledged themselves to him? ‘Take this life and be my Lord and God.’ God found Jacob at Bethel, and that is what we need.
Think of our own vow when we came to the Lord. God gave us tremendous promises. A new purpose for living so we pledged our lives. Take my mind, heart, strength, I will live for you – raise children for you. That vow is made in light of owing God a great debt. I owe it anyway. I give him my entire self. Not just my soul, but my body. This will condition all my policy for life. Do I choose a new home? My vow influences my thinking. Do a seek a new job? I will be directed by him in choosing it, according to my vow to live for him. This is a vow that lasts for all time; it will stand eternally. Supposing we are relaxed, lazy or easy-going. A vow is a tremendous help. You come back to your vow and it helps greatly. Maybe somebody is ambitious or acquisitive and always needing new responsibility in daily life. But if all conditioned by this vow then they keep all in control and become a powerhouse in church family.
What does it mean that we vow that the Lord will be our God? It means:
{
1. God will be my ruler. I will obey his word in everything it says.
2. He will be my chief delight. Even with things I legitimately enjoy, I will take great care I do not enjoy them more than the Lord.
3. He will be the object of my love and worship. I will put all idols out of my life.
}