READING: Deuteronomy 21-24
The context of the Bible verse that caught my attention today is God’s mandating that His people keep their vows they made to Him. If they made a vow to God, they were to keep it without delay. To not keep the vow was to sin. And, for that reason, God reminded His people, “Be careful to do whatever comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed what you promised to the Lord your God” (Deut 23:23).
Even just the first words of this text challenge me, particularly for those who are pastors. For people called to a ministry that is Word-based, it matters that others have faith in our words. If we don’t do whatever comes from our lips, the credibility of our words is in question. When we do not keep our word to others, they have cause not to trust anything we say to them—including what we preach.
How much more that reality matters when we make a promise to God!
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Have you made any promises to God you have not kept?
DAILY PRAYER: “Lord, help me to keep my words to others and to You today.”
MONDAY’S READING: Deuteronomy 25-28