There are a lot of “new” things in the Bible (2 Corinthians 5:17). This in spite of what Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 1:9-10 about there being “no new thing under the sun.” Thankfully, I am not the cynic that Solomon was.
Today, there is the new birth (John 3:3, 5), the new life (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:6, 8, 17), the new hope (Titus 1:2), a new task (Matthew 6:33; Mark 5:1), a new body at the end (1 Corinthians 15) and a new home (John 14:1ff). In addition, following the conclusion of each year, as long as Christ delays His coming, we experience a new year. The old year is done, with its heartaches, disappointments, failures and sin. Whenever a new year commences, it is the time of beginning again, a time for vows, promises and resolutions to be made.
God Made Vows and Promises
In Genesis 9:9-13, God even announced His vow with a rainbow in the sky. In Deuteronomy 5, the Law was given again, at which time Moses spoke to people about it saying, “God made a covenant with us in Horeb.” The people responded with a vow, “…we will hear it and do it…” (v. 5). In Joshua 24:15-18, Joshua called for the people to choose, and they cried out, “…we will serve the Lord.”
What Is the Value of Making Vows?
Making a vow tells the world of the stand one has taken. For instance, the foreigner, on naturalization day renounces all allegiance to his former country, and he vows loyalty to the new country. Vows also are apparent in marriage ceremonies. Likewise, when becoming a Christian, a person says in effect, “I am renouncing allegiance to Satan, and I will serve Christ only.”
Vows Indicate Strength of Character
When elected president, George Washington said, “Be journey long or short, although I may be deserted by all men, integrity and firmness shall never forsake me.” Doctors bind themselves without discrimination to the service of humanity by taking the Hippocratic Oath. Daniel 3:13-18 records the courageous vows of three Hebrews, and Daniel 1:8 notes the vow of Daniel.
What about Vows or Resolutions for a New Year?
The apostle Paul looked two ways, backward and forward. He looked to the past to be reminded to forget (Philippians 3:13-14). Each New Year calls one to noble living, to be more devoted to the Master, to develop a closer relationship and a greater obligation to the church, a determination to lead someone to Christ in new year, to be systematic in one’s weekly giving, to pray daily and to abound in Christian service (Psalm 116:12-14).
