Promise to God OR Obedience to God??? Judges 11

Good morning everyone! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!!
   Promises, aka, covenants.  Have you ever said or committed a rash act?  Say or do something you wish you could take back?  Yes sir, I would say all of us have at one time or another.  Then, many times pride will cause us to go back on our word, or we just pass it off as something trivial.
    Judges 11 - When we talk to God, we need to be real in what we say, promise, or make a covenant with Him.  In Judges, Jephthah, son of Gilead whose mother was a prostitute was run out of this homeland by his half brothers. (Gilead's wife's sons).  He was a great warrior.  He left the land of Tob and developed a  band of "vain men" or reckless and empty whom many see as worthless band of thieves.  
   Well, the Ammonites declared was against Israel, and when they attacked the elders sent of Jephthah to be ruler and lead them into battle.  Of course, Jephthah chastised them some saying, hmm, aren't you the same people who drove me from this land?
  Well, the elders told Jephthah something to the effect, that as the LORD is our witness they would do whatever you say.  So, what has happened here?  Jephthah was run out of town, created a band of worthless robbers, is a great warrior and well known in the area, and the elders need help. Hmmm! Interesting---very interesting!
   The elders pledged to him with God as their witness.  Be careful what you promise to God. HE WILL COLLECT!
   Jephthah took the position, tried to conference with the Ammonites, no luck, went into battle with the Ammonites, saying let the LORD, who is judge, decide today who the land belongs to - Israel or Ammon.
  The Jephthah made a vow to God and said, "If you give me victory over the Ammonites, I will give to the LORD whatever comes our of my house to meet me when I return in triumph.  I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering."   BE CARE WHAT YOU PROMISE GOD!!
   Jephthah did not just defeat the Ammonites, but he crushed them, devastating about twenty towns from Aroer to an area near Minnith.  When Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, his daughter came out to meet him, playing a tambourine and dancing for joy.  She was his only child.  At this he tore his clothes in anguish because he remember the vow he had made to the LORD.
   Okay, the point here is when we make rash vow's they may bring us unspeakable grief.  Sometimes in the heat of emotion or personal turmoil it is easy to make foolish promises to God.  They may sound good when we make them, but making "spiritual deals" only brings disappointment and possibly grief.
    God does not want promises; God desires only our obedience.  Love you all.
In Christ's Love and Grace
   Johnny