What ever happened to the phrase “A man is as good as his word”? Of course, a woman is as good as her word, too, but today it seems as if most people never really mean what they say. It was some time ago that I began to realize how flippantly I treated my own words–in particular when it came to saying I’d do something.
Let me give you an example: You’re in the grocery store and you run into someone you haven’t seen for awhile. Your reason for interacting on a regular basis is gone now due to both of you moving on from wherever you met, but as the chit-chat progresses, words like this spill out:
“It’s so good to see you.”
“How are you?”
“So busy.”
“Yeah, me, too.”
“We should get together some time.”
“Definitely.”
“Well, I should run. It was great seeing you.”
“You too. Bye!”
Now, don’t get me wrong, in this scenario the two parties know that this is just a formality, that you don’t really intend to get together, but it’s the thing to say, right?
It’s no wonder that we don’t trust each other’s words because we treat them too lightly. Our promises, our commitments have to be legitimized with strings of legal mumbo-jumbo and endless clauses for the clauses. Why? Because no one keeps their word any more.
It’s why when I began to realize how flippant I could be with my word, that it was time to change. Even with my commitment to keep my commitments, I still fail. God’s Spirit has given me strength to follow through on my word better than I used to, but even when I do my best, I will fail.
Aren’t you glad God isn’t like that?
Over and over, God’s people failed Him, and yet His covenant promises stand. When they stood poised to take possession of the land He promised, Joshua encouraged them to go in and fight their enemies and possess what He had promised (see Joshua 10:8, 25).
The writer of the book of Joshua concludes the description of the lands of each of the tribes’ inheritance with this powerful statement, “Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass” (Joshua 21:45).
Not one word—let that sink in, sister. God has given us promises, too, and they are just as sure as His promises to His people to possess very specific places that still exist today in the land that He will give to the descendants of Abraham.
The literal translation of the first part of this verse is “not a word from every good word” which God gave to Israel has failed. Not one!
It will come to pass.
You can count on that Word.
I don’t know about you, but that is something I need for my everyday life. When my bank account is dwindling, and I still don’t have a job. When my child is sick, and the medicine isn’t helping. When my marriage is strained, and I’m not sure I can hang on any longer. When my church is in the throes of conflict, and I fear a split….
It is then I need to remember: Not one of God’s words will fail; they all will come to pass.
This is as sure as the fact that the sun will rise tomorrow morning. God’s Word will not fail. He cannot fail.
“If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).
He is as good as His Word. So be it. Amen.
Discussion questions:
- Name a time in the Scriptures where we see God’s specific promises fulfilled.
- God has given us a myriad of good words-promises that we can count on. What is one of your favorite promises from God’s Word? If you’d like, tell us about a time that promise sustained you.
- How do you help yourself remember God’s faithfulness regularly?
- What is one practical way that you make sure your words and actions match up?
- How has God recently shown His faithfulness to you personally?
