Hymn 352 – I’ve Vowed to Be True
My thoughts have been on how fully committed are we in our purpose for God. There’s a verse in Ezekiel 47:3, that says:
“And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over; for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.”
How fully committed are you to serving God? Have you ever stepped into a river and the water was cold? The water is up to your ankles, and then you step further into the river and you’re up to your knees in very cold water. Then you wade further out and you’re up to your waist, and the water is very, very cold! How far are you willing to go into God’s will? We must go deeper; we must be right over our heads! And then God will help us to float!
In Acts 26:28, it says, “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, ‘Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.’” That king was almost persuaded. He saw the pond and the water, and it looked refreshing, but something was holding him back. There are many things in our lives, too, that hold us back from being wholly committed to God. Being committed means to make a vow, to make a choice to get further into God’s will. Many small vows are made on our knees.
Deuteronomy 23:21, “When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it, for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.” The vows we make must be kept. I have enjoyed being invited to a few weddings and to hear the young man and the young woman exchange their vows to each other. These marriage vows must be kept, as they are made before the God of heaven. It’s like hearing a couple say to each other, “This is our place; this is our place for life.” It’s good to remember the vows we make are before God.
That hymn, number 93 (“I Have Only One Life”), was an inspiration to me when I was thinking about the work and every time we sing it, it kindles up that same feeling again to always keep my vows alive. It says of Jesus in Luke 9:51, “…He steadfastly set His face to go.” Let us strive to be more like Jesus our Master.