Keep Your Word, Every Time

Respect doesn't come automatically through your position or title. No, respect is something that's earned over time, through consistently trustworthy behaviour. If you think about the people you respect, without doubt, one of their enduring qualities is that you can depend on them. What you see is what you get. What they say is what they'll do. In other words, they keep their word. They follow through. They deliver. Might I ask you today, are you such a person? Do you come through on your promises? Writes King David of Israel, three thousand years ago: Psalm 15:1-2,4 LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart … who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind. (NIV) You don't have to spend all that long reading God's Word to discover that He Himself is a promise-keeper, and He expects us to be the same. Keeping your word is more than good manners—it's a reflection of who you are, and indeed, of your relationship with God. You and I, we love being around people who keep their word. We love being around people who follow through on their promises. And why wouldn't we? Those people are people whom we can trust; a trust that's built up as, time after time, they keep their word – even when it costs them something, even when it hurts them. So in a world where talk is cheap, don't overpromise and underdeliver. Keep your word … every time. That's God's Word. Fresh … for you … today.