The Greatest Vow.

A Holy Weekend Reflection on Commitment, Worship, and the Fulfilled Promise of Jesus Christ

On Good Friday, I met with my girlfriends for our monthly Bible study, we call it “The Walk and The Word” where we don’t just study the word we make sure we walk it according to James 1:22. We just started studying Isaiah 58 alongside Philippians 2, but God had other plans. My friend Ashley, who hosted and led the session, directed us to Ecclesiastes 5, which she thought would compliment our study, and wow...it REALLY HIT! We were not just moved, but convicted. I left the session rethinking my commitment to God and my faith. It stirred something in me so deeply that I found myself going back to the Word to study it all over again. And now, here I am writing to you.

This Easter weekend, we remember the greatest vow ever fulfilled: God’s promise of salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. A vow not made lightly, but one sealed with blood, love, and sacrifice. It’s a vow that changed everything. And yet… How lightly do we treat our own promises to God?

Isaiah 58 begins with a sobering reality"For day after day they seek me out; they seem eager to know my ways, as if they were a nation that does what is right and has not forsaken the commands of its God." (Isaiah 58:2, NIV) That “as if” caught my heart. God sees us trying to act spiritual, “as if” we’re righteous, as if we’re holy, as if we’re honoring our commitments, but are we really? Are we walking in true obedience, or just putting on a performance?

The chapter goes on to say"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers." (Isaiah 58:3b, NIV) Even when we’re supposed to be consecrated, set apart, we still do what we want. And if that’s how we are on holy days, what does that say about the ordinary ones? Proverbs 3:6 reminds us:

"In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." (NIV) Dr. Tony Evans says it plainly in The Tony Evans Bible Commentary "Seeking worship with false motives and no concern for righteousness is not true worship."(620). That’s what Isaiah 58 is all about. Worship that is more than talk. Fasting that isn’t just skipping meals. God is after our hearts, not our performance. Our obedience is the real offering.

Now in to Ecclesiastes 5. This chapter feels like a personal wake-up call"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong." (Ecclesiastes 5:1, NIV) It continues"When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it." (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, NIV) This verse hit me hard. How many times have we said, “Lord, I promise...” Lord, I’ll fast more. I’ll pray more. I’ll serve. I’ll go. Only to fall short, forget or get caught up in our own lives? We make promises so quickly when we’re in need or in a moment of emotion, but do we follow through when it’s time to act?

Ecclesiastes 5:7 reminds us: "Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God." (NIV)

Our words mean nothing without obedience. Our dreams mean nothing without discipline. Our worship means nothing without heart.

Let’s make the connection: Isaiah 58 calls us out for false worship. Ecclesiastes 5 calls us out for careless promises. And this Easter weekend, we remember the God who made a vow, and KEPT it. Jesus didn’t just say He would save us. He did it. He didn’t delay. He didn’t make excuses. He fulfilled the greatest vow ever made with a cross on His back and love in His heart. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NIV) That is the vow. That is the promise. And it was fulfilled COMPLETELY!

As we reflect on His sacrifice this Easter, let us ask ourselves, What promises have I made to God that I haven’t fulfilled? Have I taken my spiritual commitments seriously, or just said the right words? Am I offering God true worship or just an empty routine? Let’s return to our first love with a heart of humility and honor. Let’s live lives of true worship. Let’s keep our vows. Because He kept His.

Blessed and Happy Easter, dear friends.May you walk in the freedom of salvation, the power of His resurrection, and the beauty of a vow that was never broken.

HE IS RISEN! Ketisha