Friday: Keeping Our Promise
Text: At this the whole assembly said, “Amen,” and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised. (Nehemiah 5:13b, NIV)
Teach: It is one thing to promise, but it means nothing without follow through. Nehemiah chastised the people for their behavior. It could have easily become a divisive matter. Instead this confrontation turned into a worship service. They agreed and broke into praise.
Take: Jesus reminded his followers of the former teaching that required the keeping of one’s vows. He was referring to Numbers 30:2, “When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.” Whether we keep our vows or not speaks to our integrity and our relationship with God.
Task: Jesus, and later his brother James, remind us that we need to let our yes be yes, and our no be no. Vows and promises are powerful things. Do not be hasty to make a vow or promise that you will not be able to keep. Consider some of the promises you have made and how God helps you keep them. Give thanks for his strengthening power that makes you able.
Pot of Manna 