But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said. Exodus 8:15
Going through a difficult time is very hard. During those times people will promise nearly anything just to get out of those hard times. Their whole focus is relief and nothing else. Some will take advantage of those hard times and try to scam the person for more than it is worth for their help. Others will help out with a good heart to get the relief needed with no high cost.
After Moses brought the plague of frogs upon Egypt, Pharaoh said the people could leave if the frogs were removed. Once they were removed and he had relief, Pharaoh became hard again and refused to let the people go.
It is easy to promise anything during a difficult time because the desire for relief is so high. Following through on a promise is completely different. Often, fulfilling a promise comes at a price that many are often unwilling to pay.
During hard times, people, including believers, are very quick to cry out to God for help. As they do, many will make many different promises to God if He will only help them get out of the difficulty that they are in. Their promises may be to go into full-time ministry, or to give a certain amount of money, or do some work in the church or some other promise.
However, as soon as they get the relief they were seeking, many forget those promises. They will claim that they were made under extreme duress and should not be held accountable for them.
Believers are to fulfill their word, keeping all their promises to God. They are not to forget their promises when relief does come, and God answered their prayers.
As you go through an extremely difficult time, you may cry out to God for help and make promises to Him if He does help. When God does answer your prayer and gives you the relief you desire, you have a choice to make. You have to choose whether you will fulfill that promise or not. Do not allow your heart to be hardened and ignore your promise. Fulfill your promise to God when He brings you the relief you desired. Don’t forget your promises in the good times of your life.
Today, I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will give God honor when He answers your prayers; that you will fulfill all of your promises to God; and that you will not forget what you promised God during the hard times.
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This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Insights from Tom
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