Bible Reading: Amos 7,8,9; Revelation 8
“And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them ; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.” – Amos 9:14 (KJVS)
Several years ago, I felt I was right with God and that I was ready to go to heaven to see the Lord Jesus Christ. And so every time I had opportunity to minister to people, I was always telling them to get ready for their individual rapture as I was also ready. Then one night, God showed me my status with him as he reminded me of a promise I had made to him several years earlier and I had not fulfilled it. In fact, I had forgotten. And it occurred to me that according to Deuteronomy 23:21 (KJVS), “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.”, I had committed a sin and needed to restitute to ensure I make heaven.
That singular issue made me realize the meaning of Gods words in Isaiah 64:6 (KJVS), “But we are all as an unclean thing , and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” So I commenced the fulfilment of my promise immediately and then began to ask for mercy and time to fulfill it. And God has given me a second chance to make my ways right. It is important that you are careful in making pledges. It is better you do not make a pledge at all rather than making a pledge and not fulfilling it! What have you promised God or a fellow man and you have failed? It’s important that you examine your past and work to fulfill all legitimate promises that you have made. More importantly, you need to ensure you do not make promises you cannot keep. Promise, it is said, is a debt.
Our father is a God of second chance. He gives you the opportunity to right your wrong. What are the areas you have made promises that you are not fulfilling? Is it in the marriage vows when you got married? Has it got to do with your employer?, Or does it concern a friend or the church of God. All legitimate promises are important and should be kept. When promises are not kept, it may hinder your blessing and more importantly your salvation. However God is willing to give you back all the opportunities you have lost as a result of your own self inflicted punishment as long as you are ready to make amends and start on a clean slate. His promises are stated in Amos 9:14 (KJVS), “And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them ; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.”
Prayer point.
Father, have mercy on me and bring to my remembrance all promises that I made and have not been able to fulfill. Give me the grace to fulfill them in Jesus name.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero