Numbers 30:16

REFLECTIONS

BLESSED JESUS! do thou undertake for me, in all my earnest desires and strongest resolutions, to love and serve the GOD of my salvation, for otherwise I am well assured, that all my strength in the hour of trial will prove to be perfect weakness. I can do nothing, dearest LORD, nothing in myself but sin; but I can do all things if thou art my strength and confidence; and therefore, never can I trust myself too little, or my Saviour too much.

But may I not see, in this merciful exemption from rash vows ill undertaken and unfaithfully performed, a gracious exemption for the infirmities of thy people? Surely JESUS is the everlasting Father of his people: and surely thou art no less their husband also. Do thou then, blessed LORD! confirm and strengthen my soul by thy grace, to perform all I vow in thy strength, and enable me to accomplish it. And do thou rescind and do away the obligation to perform everything unprofitable to be done, by thy sovereign power, and right of dominion over me. For I trust, that by thy HOLY SPIRIT thou hast begotten me again to a new life; by which I am thine as thy child by adoption and grace: and that thou hast betrothed me to thyself forever, by which my Maker is mine husband, the LORD of Hosts is his name. And for the dedicating myself to thy service forever, LORD enable me so to vow, and so to perform, that I may say with one of old, I will pay my vows unto the LORD, in the presence of all his people; even in the courts of the LORD'S house.