And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. - Gen 28:20-22
How often, in your life you have achieved things with out the assistance of God, by your own strength, with your own efforts? On such occasions you have met with failures. When you totally failed and come to conclusion that with out God’s help you cannot achieve things, then you approach God. When you approach Him with burden of failures, with the prayers, that God should acknowledge your prayers and vows. Here we read Jacob making vows with God. Due to the fear of his brother Esau, Jacob left his parents and was left alone. Walked in the wilderness, wondering about his future? While he was sleeping God gave him a vision. And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.(Gen 28:18-19). Till now Jacob was lonely without any help. When God visited him through the vision he prayed to God and made his vows. God acknowledged his vows. When you keenly observe this prayer of vow! We can observe how Jacob was dependent for everything on God. Jacob wished God to remain with him always. God should grant every small thing in his life. He was completely dependent on God for small things such us food, clothing and shelter, and also God should protect him. Beloved, in your life for all your needs depend on God only. God never forsake you or forget you. Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me (Isa 44:21). For the Lord will not cast off for ever: (Lam 3:31).
Because of his dependence on God, in every small thing and to great things God blessed him. God granted him his entire request. There fore Jacob always proclaimed God’s gifts. And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.(Gen 32:9-10). You bring to God the problems which you consider as grave. But Just like Jacob you surrender everything to God, and pray with vows, and then God acknowledges your prayers and gives His blessings. But when you commit a vow, you must sincere in fulfilling it. When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.(Eccl 5:4-5). Do you offer your life totally to God? Have you fulfilled the vows you have made to God? Are you spending the few hours which you committed to God that you will daily pray? In order to receive graces from God have you committed that you will go on fasting, and offer tithes? Did you do it? Today you make a decision that you will do all your vows to God sincerely, and then you will receive God’s blessings just like Jacob.
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. - Ps 50:14-15
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