"God doesn't want to bargain because He thinks we have something better to offer Him. He doesn't want to bargain because He has something better to offer us" (www.bayview Bible Church.org).
People just love bargains. They go to yard sales or discount stores, spending oodles of time for that one great find. Or, in places where there are lots of hawker stalls, the seller and the potential buyer bargain loudly and long until each is satisfied. The bargain hunter goes off smug and gloating while the hawker stall owner feels he's got the last laugh.
So when someone wants to bargain with God it seems real cheap. Yet, quite often the bargaining takes place at a time when the bargainer is in a desparate situation and so becomes a deal-maker seeking their greatest benefit of the moment.
As the opening quote puts it - God doesn't do bargains - at least not in as much as if you had something to offer Him. After all, He owns the 1000's of cattle on hills worldwide, in fact He made the world and He is ALL. He has a lot more to give than whatever paltry sum we have to give Him.
The term 'bargain' sounds flippant. Something so easy to say or do. Alternatively, I feel the word 'vow' has greater punch and sincerity. You have to think twice and longer to enter into a vow. God's word is 'covenant'.
The Bible has the Old Covenant, which He made with Abraham and the nation of Israel while the New Covenant was made with followers of Jesus Christ - His Church. The Old Covenant was 'signed and sealed' with the blood of animals but the New Covenant was with the blood of God's Son, Jesus Christ. God is faithful and always kept and still keeps His side of the covenant. Human beings are not so good at holding up their end of such promises.
For example, when people make New Year's resolutions, how long do they keep them? A week or two? The very determined and disciplined may be longer.
I'm trying to drive a hard bargain here to get you to see a difference. In desparate times it's so 'easy' to vow to do something if God will help you out in the moment. When all's good - are you going to pull through with your side - will you truly be commited to it for the duration?
In a sermon by Tony Evans entitled 'Praying to Change God's Mind,' he talks about King Hezekiah when he got his death prognosis. He wept but also prayed asking God to extend his life. His bargaing chips were his 'line of credit,' Evans declared.
" See God, I've kept the faith for so many years and I've done so many good deeds. Yes, I have trouble with pride but my good deeds must be worth something."
This was not so much about what he would do for God but about what he had already done. So he felt he deserved God's mercy and compassion.
Evans preached it that God granted the request and healed Hezekiah but, and listen carefully, hear the big 'but', he gave Hezekiah a mission, a purpose, not just for Hezekiah's own benefit but for the good and behalf of those in his kingdom - for his people.
So whether you want to call it a 'bargain' or a 'vow' or a 'covenant,' when you are dealing with God, be aware, you just might land yourself a mammoth project.
You cannot control God nor twist His arm. I like what I read in one post by Daily Press.com in regards to trying to control God and the outcome. Here's what it says,
"We should pray without the need to control the outcome. We should pray with faith to accept God's will. Prayer should seek the highest good that only God knows."
If God's will is to not heal or give you what you want - how will you respond? A temper tantrum and a turning away from God? Or will you still trust Him that He is doing something better for you that you could ever have thought of for yourself?
There's the example of a university student I heard of who struggled with academics but also liked to go out and 'have fun'. Finally he told God, "I'll go to church, and even serve there all this semester if You give me passing grades." Sounds audacious and impertinent. He hadn't really built up credit yet but he was trying. However, God couldn't do the studying for the student. What did the student expect if he didn't put full effort into that too?
He was disappointed, and it even sounds like he was creating an excuse to turn away from the faith of his upbringing and following after God. He got his reason, sadly. One needs to be careful about one's bargains. Don't be a fair weather friend with God.
One needs to be careful in other ways too. Think of Jephthah's rash vow that if he won the battle he'd sacrifice the first thing that met him when he returned in victory.
His one and only daughter was the first 'thing' to meet him! He fulfilled his vow and sacrificed her much to his abject grief (see Judges 11)!
Stupid, stupid, stupid man! He actually violated one of the Ten Commandments.
"Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13).Did he put his face to the ground and weep, begging God's mercy, intervention and forgiveness? We don't read that he did.
A key here is to 'seek God' and His will. He knows our desires very well because He even knows how many strands of hair you have on your head (see Matthew 10:30). Lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). Jephthah leaned on his own understanding and pride, wanting to take credit for the victory. He forgot that the battle wasn't his but God's (see 1 Samuel 17:47 & 2 Chronicles 20:15).
Our lives as Christians are not our own, as we were bought with a price (see 1 Corinthians 6:20). We belong to God. Yes, He loves us and loves to give good and perfect gifts (see James 1:17). Wait for gift-giving time according to His timing.
I love the story of barren Hannah and how she prayed for a child. She vowed to give this child to God. God granted her her desire and Samuel was born. Hannah kept her end of the deal and dedicated Samuel to the Lord. When he was old enough she took him to the temple to work and minister there under the High Priest Eli's tutelage and care.
Subsequently, Hannah had more children. God gave her more than she had asked. This is our generous and giving God (see 1 Samuel 1 & 2).
Samuel became well used by God as a prophet. Hannah's vow did not just benefit herself but a whole nation. Once again, I state, when you want to bargain with God it's a serious thing and comes with a warning because God will take you seriously. Are you ready for what He gives and asks of you? Are you ready for a 'no' answer? Are you ready for a 'wait' answer? Will you trust Him still? Be prepared.
May your faith be stretched and grown with whatever God puts on your vow plate.
~ERC March 2023~
Based on a question a friend asked -'Can we bargain with God?"
Sing, I Cast My Mind on Calvary - O Praise the Name, along with Hillsong Music.
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