God’s standards

‘…when a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.’ Numbers 30.2

From time to time we all say things that we probably don’t mean.  We may say them simply out of enthusiasm or exaggeration, or perhaps promise things to others and to God that we can’t deliver.  Since we have this tendency, we imagine that others do as well and now and again might wonder if even God is prone to a bit of exaggeration!

This verse encourages us to take our words very seriously and to think carefully about our promises.  The implication that this is something that is important to God is challenging.  It follows that if he tells us not to take our promises lightly, then neither does he.  Sometimes we read the Bible and some of its promises seem to offer so much that we can’t believe God really means it.  It is an incredible thought that he takes the promises he has made very seriously indeed – perhaps far more seriously than we do.

As you read the Bible and come across one of God’s promises, recognise that it comes from the one who has told you not to break your word and who lives by a far greater standard than we do.

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