Presently I go to your Temple with consumed contributions to satisfy the promises I made to you—truly, the sacrosanct pledges you heard me make when I was in profound trouble. —Psalm 66:13-14
It is normally perceived that there are no nonbelievers in foxholes. Men who display little enthusiasm for otherworldliness and endlessness are out of nowhere moved to supplicate when enduring an onslaught. Others have been know to encounter emotional transformations under danger of hanging. This marvel is like the one depicted by Samuel Johnson, in his acclaimed perception: "When a man realizes he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it focuses his psyche wonderfully."1 In numerous occurrences, the vows to God made in the foxhole have been satisfied when the firearms have fallen quiet—yet not generally. What's more, when capital punishments have been driven, some assuaged guilty parties have unfortunately overlooked the responsibilities made to God under coercion.
The hymn author, describing the desperate conditions through which his country had passed, watched, "We experienced fire and flood. Be that as it may, you carried us to a position of extraordinary plenitude" (Ps. 66:12). This circumstance offered the opportunity for individuals to offer incredible thanks in real love, dutifulness, trust, and administration. It additionally gave the chance to shallow vows to be uncovered by negligent, unpleasant activities.
The Lord had cautioned his kin of such a chance when Moses gave them their last directions in a matter of seconds before they entered the Promised Land. He disclosed to them that their appearance in the "spot of extraordinary wealth" was "an ideal opportunity to be cautious! Be careful that in your bounty you remember the Lord your God and resist his orders, guidelines, and laws" (Deut. 8:11).
The hymn essayist had the option to affirm, "Presently I come . . . to satisfy the promises I made to you—truly, the sacrosanct pledges you heard me make when I was in major dilemma" (Ps. 66:13-14). No foxhole confidence is in proof here, just a profound gratefulness for kindness broadened and beauty got. He was profoundly mindful that the Lord "didn't pull back his unfailing adoration from [him]" (66:20). The psalmist demonstrated his thankfulness above all else in the nature of his reaction. There is not all that much, weak, or icily formal here. He brought "the best of [his] rams" (66:15), not at all like a portion of his comrades who were known to "offer creatures that [were] injured and unhealthy" (Malachi 1:8). His gratefulness was demonstrated over and again to be genuine through his craving to impart his experience of God's decency to other people—"Come and tune in, all you who dread God, and I will mention to you what he accomplished for me" (66:16).
What better reaction can a man have to the Lord's unfailing adoration than to show unfailing appreciation to the person who has not bombed him! Flames, floods, foxholes, and the activities that follow will show the gauge of a man's confidence.
