Numbers 30:2, "If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth."

As I read this portion of the Word of God I thought of the tragedy and failure of the people who live in America today. Many people lack godly character and one way it manifests itself is in the area of breaking their word. One of the primary applications of this passage would be in the covenant of marriage. People vow before God, and typically in front of an audience of people, to love and cherish one another until they are separated in death and then when some hardship is experienced they break their promise. American society disregards the importance of a person "keeping their word." People accumulate debt with the promise to pay back the debt they owe, but rather than keep their word they seek to file Chapter 13 or Chapter 7. This is a reflection of poor character. These actions are contrary to God's character and is also contrary to the life of a believer. Psalm 37:21, "The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again..." This isn't the action of a person who is saved but one who is lost.

I thank God that He is always true to His Word. I thank the Lord that because He is true to His Word I can depend upon Him. God is both true and trustworthy. May we work at being people of integrity who keep our word. It is one of the ways that we testify of having a genuine walk with God. Proverbs 25:19 reminds me, "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint." If you are a person who doesn't keep his or her word, then you are counted as being unfaithful, and people will not place confidence in you to do a task. Determine to be someone who is dependable by keeping your word. It is a matter of Christian character.

Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Can people depend upon you to keep your word? If not, why not?

2. It takes a strong commit to keep your word? Are you willing to suffer in order to keep your word?

3. What does Psalm 15:4(b) mean to you? Read it in its context.

4. What would happen if God didn't keep His word? Could He be trusted?

5. Have you failed to keep your word? How can you make it right?

Keeping Your Word