NAZIRITE VOWS

Today's reading: Numbers 5-8

"Then the Lord said to Moses, Speak to the people of Israel and given them these instructions: If some of the people, either men or women, take the special vow of a Nazirite, setting themselves apart to the Lord in a special way, . .This applies as long as they are set apart to the Lord." Numbers 6:1-8 NLT

You might be acquainted with Nazirite vows if you have read about the life of Samson--a man set apart for God's service and who abstained from cutting his hair or eating/drinking anything from the grape vine or touching a dead body.

This vow is a fast of sorts. But more than a fast, too. It was a vow you might take for yourself OR your parents might take it for you, as in Samson's instance. They determined that by the Nazirite vow Samson would live his life--even before he was born!

It was in Moses's day, much like today, important when you said something--but it meant more when you followed through and did what you said.

I'm not so sure, as believers, a minority 'race' in this upside-down world, that there shouldn't be more of us taking vows to be set apart for the Lord.

To abstain from entertainment that promotes what God detests.

To refuse to give our hard earned money to organizations that do not promote godliness.

To allow anything on our calendars that pushes us away from worship.

To instill rules in our lives that promote Bible reading and prayer before anything else is done in our day.

Setting ourselves apart for the Lord in a special way places us in a very blessing-producing position. It shows God our heart's desire to draw closer to Him and it shows the world how important God is.

Nazirite-type vows are something we need to consider in our walks with the Lord--even today!