We go to great legal lengths to hold individuals and corporations to their word, with airtight contracts that detail all the terms of agreement. And when a breach of contract happens, it’s recognized as a serious offense. Today’s reading reminds us of the importance of making good on our word.
Be careful to do whatever comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed what you promised to the LORD your God (Deuteronomy 23:23).
In the time of the Old Testament, vow-keeping involved promising God an offering or action in response to His help or provision concerning a particular matter. In the New Testament, Jesus references these instructions, asserting that our “yes” should be “yes” and our “no” should mean “no” (Matthew 5:37). We are to be people of our word, a people who live truthfully—in front of God and among our neighbors.
When we commit to something, we do it with the intention of following through. Our words are an expression of our character, and we honor God when they are honest and authentic. Keeping our word is also a show of respect and care to those to whom we gave our word. How disappointing empty promises are. I’ll be there…I’ll pay you back next week… Yes, I’ll do that. Commitment without the intention to follow through is not only disappointing to others, but it also dishonors God.
Sometimes we say yes in the moment, or we overcommit. These days, it’s easy to over promise our time and even money without realizing that we’ve done it. Sometimes, we’ve tried our best to keep our word, but we just can’t. These things happen; but they should be exceptions. God’s instructions in Deuteronomy and Matthew remind us of the way in which we should live our lives.
They also challenge us to be honest with ourselves and identify opportunities for growth related to honoring our commitments. Perhaps, we do overcommit far too often. Or perhaps, lately, it’s just seemed hard to follow through on even the smaller things. These could be signals, pointing to a need to reduce busyness or to reevaluate our time management priorities.
There’s a sweet grace in Jesus’s “yes” and “no” instructions. We don’t have to say yes to everything. We get to say no sometimes, even often! Living truthfully brings balance to our lives, allowing us to be good stewards with the time and resources the Lord has entrusted to us.
Let’s continue to honor God with truthfulness in our words and actions. And let’s ask Him to continue to help us to live honestly among others.
For those of you who can’t say no I would suggest the book, “Boundaries” by Townsend and Cloud and yes it is on audio so you can listen to it while doing other things in your busy schedule. Remember to take time for the Lord.
Tameshia’s last to sentences pack a powerful message and sum up the scriptures well. I do, though, feel that divorce is also okay if there is abuse of any sort — physical, verbal, mental, emotional or even spiritual. This can be for either side.
Lord, help us to talk in Your way, shining a light for You and spreading Your word throughout the world. Amen.
Sisters have a wonderful day and be blessed.
Wow is this timely!! I have waaay overcommitted lately; and I am very exhausted today; to the point of tears this morning :( My family and I love to entertain, and get invited to do a lot of fun things; but I am realizing that sometimes I just have to say no… We hosted a party for 50 friends at our home on Sunday, , then cleaned up on Monday, and I left the house at 6am yesterday for work and didn’t get home until 10:30pm last night because we were invited on a friend’s boat after work, Back to school night tomorrow, and football tailgate party followed by my son’s first varsity football game on Friday… all while working full time and helping our elderly parents, and taking care of our two teenagers. Yep, I was crying this morning… these are all wonderful things, but sometimes I just yearn for more quiet time, to spend in Bible study, or reading my Bible and devotionals, or just talking to Jesus. I think we need that time everyday to center ourselves (I know that I do!) When we’re not centered we are thrown off balance, and life becomes overwhelming. I am just realizing this now, and the importance of knowing that it’s ok to sometimes say no.
Nads, how is Danny? Still praying for him.
MAURA, it sounds like there’s a “praise” in there…I’m happy to rejoice with you!!
(Sorry…again re: Danny… praying discernment for doctors re: concerning findings in his blood.)
The news today about Danny is not very encouraging. He is still not responsive. As Victoria E mentioned yesterday, some doctors and nurses have said it may simply take some time, even a week to start to wake up / respond. HOWEVER, a nurse put a bug in his wife’s ear today that the fact that he DID respond earlier in the week and now is NOT is worse than had he never responded at all. :(
(Yesterday, his wife asked each of us to read Ezekiel 37:1-14 and pray along those lines.)
Please continue to pray, my sweet sisters. Thank you for joining me this week, allowing me to share. ❤️
It’s not Edomites and Moabites. It’s Ammonite or Moabite. Deuteronomy 23::3. An illegitimate person can not even enter into the congregation. Deuteronomy 23:2
Good morning SRT sisters.
I read through the whole devotion. But all I have time for this morning is to say good morning.