By Rev. Michael Mwangi
Senior Pastor, Fedha Church KAG
New International Version
9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “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.”
12 As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk 14 and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”
15 “Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. 16 Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”
17 Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”
1. Vows or pledges move the heart of God
Hannah had been praying previously. Every year they came to sacrifice. Both prayers and sacrifice bore no fruit until the day she vowed. That very moment she touched the heart of God. God responded instantly precisely.
Prayers and sacrifices appeal to God's ears but vows and pledges appeal to God's heart. That's why they are powerful and effective.
Note
A vow is not a must but out of your own will.
Never make a vow in a Hurry, Be thoughtful and careful
Never make a vow out of desperation or just to get what you are desperate for.
Never make a vow if you cannot fulfil it.
It must be fulfilled and promptly without delay
A vow is binding as much as you are the one who made it.
Leviticus 27: 9 -10
9 “‘If what they vowed is an animal that is acceptable as an offering to the Lord, such an animal given to the Lord becomes holy. 10 They must not exchange it or substitute a good one for a bad one, or a bad one for a good one; if they should substitute one animal for another, both it and the substitute become holy.
Numbers 30: 2
When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.
Deut 23:21
If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-6
4. When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfil your vow.
5. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfil it.
6. Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?
2. Vows and pledges are costly and not redeemable
Hannah had to give up the only child, having been barren. She had to let go and that was not easy. She could have hung on to the child but had to give her best and be inconvenienced.
A vow is a premium sacrifice that demands total commitment.
3. Pledges or vows do the impossible and open new doors
Hannah not only gave birth to Samuel but after giving up Samuel, she was blessed with five more children
1 Samuel 2:21
21. And the Lord was gracious to Hannah; she gave birth to three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, the boy Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.
When you fulfil your pledge, you challenge God on faithfulness. God is forever faithful and he will show you his faithfulness.
Psalm 18:25-26
25. To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
26. to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious, you show yourself shrewd.
When you fulfil your vow or pledge, expect God to move in a big way.
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