“But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the Lord burned against the children of Israel.” Joshua 7:1 NKJV
“You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, ‘When you make a vow, you must not break your promise. Keep the vows that you make to the Lord.’ 34 But I tell you, when you make a promise, don’t try to make it stronger with a vow. Don’t make a vow using the name of heaven, because heaven is God’s throne. 35 Don’t make a vow using the name of the earth, because the earth belongs to him. Don’t make a vow using the name of Jerusalem, because it also belongs to him, the great King. 36 And don’t even say that your own head is proof that you will keep your promise. You cannot make one hair on your head white or black. 37 Say only ‘yes’ if you mean ‘yes,’ and say only ‘no’ if you mean ‘no.’ If you say more than that, it is from the Evil One.” Matthew 5:33-36 NKJV
Lord ,
You keep Your promises and Your Word and history clearly proves it. The children of Israel had all promised not to take loot for themselves on this occasion. The promise was not to Joshua but through him to You Lord. A considered, agreed promise. And everyone else kept it bar one. The consequences were fatal for him and his family. All for one beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels (Joshua 7:21). But it was not the things that mattered it was a matter of his honesty with You.
Lord I make promises. I have not really considered the consequences of not keeping them. Except perhaps where I have had to go and apologise that I cannot do something I promised to. Or cannot keep part of it. I have not really considered that I may have made promises to You I have forgotten all about. I am sorry. Thank You God, for Jesus. . . .
Help me consider what I promise and what I should not promise. What I can and may not be able to do honestly. Help me if I promise to pray for someone to do it immediately or make a note so I do not forget. And help me keep my conscience clear and my words honest. Help us fulfill what we can, as we can, to the best we can. And not promise where we may not be able to.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Friday 28th March 2025
Keep me true, Lord Jesus, keep me true,
Keep me true, Lord Jesus, keep me true,
There’s a race that must be run,
There’s a vict’ry to be won,
Ev’ry hour by Thy pow’r keep me true.
Lyrics: Anonymous