Forgotten Promise

“If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.” Numbers 30:2, NASB.

Over the years Ben* has seen God touch many people from his Unreached People Group (UPG) through community health work. For the past year Ben has multiplied his ministry by training fifteen local people to conduct the training in different villages. Many of them have come to faith through seeing God’s hand of healing in the lives of the people they serve, but not all of these workers are believers.

One particular man had a chronic lung problem. He told people at a health clinic that he would believe Jesus and go to Sunday worship if God would heal him. All the villagers heard him make this statement, and God heard his request and healed him. This good news amazed many in the village. This healing was one of the turning points in Vannah’s life. She had worked at the clinics and heard the Gospel, but when she saw God heal this man she decided to become His follower.

Sadly, a year after the man was healed he has already forgotten his promise to God. He is back to his old life of drunkenness and gambling. The lack of gratitude that this man showed reminded Ben of the ten lepers that Jesus healed in Luke 17. Only one of the ten came back to the Lord to express thanksgiving and give Him glory.

*Names changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

Vannah will continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

This ungrateful man will come to his senses, repent and keep his promises to the Lord.

God will continue to show His glory in connection with the proclamation of His Gospel in the Last Frontier areas of the Pacific Rim.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.