For dreams result from much work and a fool’s voice from many words. When you make a vow to God, don’t delay in fulfilling it, because He does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow.
Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it.     Ecclesiastes 5:3-5 HCSB

This is the time of year when many of us are making promises or vows. We vow to eat better. We vow to go to the gym or dust off that exercise equipment. We vow to get healthy. We make all kinds of vows. Maybe we even vow to strengthen our relationship with the Lord through church attendance, Bible study and prayer.

Our Scripture passage for today tells us it takes a lot of work for our dreams to come true. Those who work hard at their goals reach them. But it says a fool’s voice results from many words. Talking about what we are going to do doesn’t accomplish anything but talk.

Often times we spend more time talking about what we are going to do. We put more words into it than we do work. Perhaps you have made a New Year’s resolution or have vowed to do something that will require some effort on your part. Giving it lip service won’t get it done.

The same holds true with our Christian lifestyle. We can say things like, “I’m going to start reading my Bible every day.” Or we can say, “I’m going to pray more and stay in constant communication with Jesus.” Or perhaps we can even say that we are going to start going to church or return to church if it’s been a while since we darkened the doorstep there. Saying we are going to do something just doesn’t get it done. We may say that we are going to give our sin over to God and ask Him to remove it from us. It will take less talk and more action.

Maybe like me you are a procrastinator. Perhaps you have put some things off for quite some time. But there are things we cannot put off because we don’t know when God will call us home. We can’t put off removing deliberate sin from our lives. We are told in Hebrews 10:26 we are told that if we go on sinning deliberately when we know it is wrong there no longer remains a sacrifice for our sins but a terrifying expectation of judgment. Don’t put off repenting of your sin and asking God to remove it from you. Ask for Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit to help you resist temptation.

We must submit to God. We must surrender to Him. None of us know how much longer we will live here on earth. Time is not on our side so we must make this a priority. Submitting to God means that we give it all over to Him, the good, the bad and the ugly. We surrender our lives to Him and do all we can to please Him. James 4:8-9 says, “Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

When we vow to draw closer to God, the Devil vows to stop us. We must submit to God and allow Him to fight the devil for us. We must resist the Devil. Turn from your sin and draw near to God. If you can’t let go of your sin, repent and God will meet you where you are. He will cleanse you from your sin. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

It’s time to quit talking about what you are going to do and start doing it. Know that it’s going to take work. Turn to God and allow Him to help you. God will be happy to help you work to accomplish your goals, just ask.

Have a great day!