What does the Bible say about the futility of human resolutions?

In 1 Samuel 19, Saul makes a sincere vow that David will live, yet we see the futility of his resolve as he later attempts to kill David. This demonstrates that human intentions can fail quickly and dramatically without God’s transformative work within us. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us that the heart is deceitful above all things, stressing the need for a divine change to enable us to keep our promises. Believers are thereby prompted to seek a new heart and rely on God's power rather than their own strength in matters of faithfulness and obedience. True change comes only through God's grace, enabling us to live righteously.