“Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken.’” Acts18:18.
We are not told what the vow was, or why Paul took it. It may have been a Nazarite vow, which was a solemn commitment made by a Jewish man or woman. It had a rich and fulfilling history between God and His people, the Israelites. At the end of the fulfillment of the vow, the person, or group of people, would have had their head shaved after having not cut the hair during the whole time of the vow. Paul kept his word – honoring his commitment before God – by having his hair cut or his head shaved before leaving for Syria.
Have you ever made a commitment to God and not kept it? I know that I have. I cannot think of the number of times that I committed to lose weight and broke that commitment. I feel disappointment and shame whenever I don’t keep my word. I am confident of God’s forgiveness, yet I know that I become more calloused and ashamed. For those who know of my vow, they start to think that my word means nothing or at least that it is blemished. I, also, know the satisfaction of following through with my word, especially when I have kept it to my own hurt; that is, when it inconveniences me and requires a sacrifice. I realize growth in my commitment to God as I honor the vow given.
Questions to consider: Have you ever made a commitment to God and not kept it? How did that work out for you? Have you made a commitment that you did keep, or are currently keeping? How does that make you feel? Are there any commitments that you have made that you need to work on or follow through with?
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your forgiveness for the times when I do not fulfill a commitment made before You. Help me to remember to keep those commitments, even to my own hurt, if necessary. Please help me, as I desire to be a person of honor and integrity – a person who keeps his word. Amen.
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