SATURDAY May 20, 2017
Keeping Your Promises
So they said, “We will restore it, and will require nothing from them; we will do as you say.” Then I called the priests, and required an oath from them that they would do according to this promise. - Nehemiah 5:12
Notice how the leaders came under full submission to Nehemiah. They did not resist him, but promised to restore to the people what was taken. These men respected Nehemiah’s word because he gave them godly counsel. The leaders saw the undeniable anointing of God in his life––I like that. Nehemiah also addressed the priests for their injustices. They were also at fault because they had ripped off God’s people.
Nehemiah had called the priests and required an oath from them. In the Old Testament, if a person gave a promise––a vow it was taken very seriously, especially a vow given to God. He would hold them accountable and expected the vow to be kept. In Deuteronomy 23:21, Moses instructed God’s people concerning vows to God:
When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for it would be sin in you, and the LORD your God will surely require it of you.
However, in the New Testament, Jesus did away with vows and simplified how we should agree with each other:
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool… But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’
It is important to be a man or a woman of your word. Be true to what you say. Ask yourself, “Do I make good on the words I give to people?”
Men many times eat their words, but God will never eat His.
~Thomas Brooks~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!
