Let My Word Be Good

SCRIPTURE

Deuteronomy 23:21-23 If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the Lord your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty. Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the Lord your God with your own mouth.

OBSERVATION

It is a fearful thought that I would make a vow to the Lord our God and either be slow to fulfill it or fail to fulfill it. The scriptures state that it’s better not to make a vow then fail to fulfill it. It is clear hear that the one’s word and vow is so important to keep. I liken it to God’s word that is truth and eternal. Imagine if we could not depend on God’s word being the truth and eternal.

APPLICATION

Yet, we often do in fact fail to keep our vow to God when we sin. God’s demand may come on judgment day. I am grateful that the grace of Jesus Christ enables and allows me a second chance to make good on my word to God.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, I know that my intent with my vows are based on good intent. However, it is the human carnality in me that causes me to fall short. Thank you for your grace and mercy allowing me time and second and subsequent chances to make good on my word, so that on judgment day I pray that I stand before you whole and obedient.

Still More on Continuing in the Word of His Grace

I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able…But as for you, continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (Acts 20:32 and2 Timothy 3:14-15)

The present verses again point us to our current theme, continuing in the word of God's grace. Only the grace of God can provide what is needed for the life we are called to live. This necessary grace is appropriated through "the word of His grace." This life-giving grace is to be lived in day by day (ideally, from childhood through old age).

Paul urged Timothy to continue in the biblical truth that he had been taught, truth about which he had become convinced. "Continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of." God's word not only instructs us in His ways, it also convinces us of their validity. In this process, God uses human instruments: "knowing from whom you have learned them." In Timothy's spiritual training, the Lord used the prophets of old (who were inspired to write the Scriptures), as well as Paul (who discipled Timothy). Timothy's mother and grandmother were also a vital part of this process. "I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice"(2 Timothy 1:5). Thus, his spiritual nurture began in his childhood years. "From childhoodyou have known the Holy Scriptures." It is the will of God that children be raised upon the Scriptures. "Do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training andadmonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). If we were not raised upon the word, God wants to begin feeding it to us at new birth. "As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of theword, that you may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2). If we have never had a serious diet of the word, today is now the day to begin.

As we are learning the word of God, its ability is unleashed in our lives. Saving grace is the first great blessing the Lord wants to bring us through the Scriptures: "which are able to make you wise for salvation." People can be exceedingly foolish concerning salvation, until they are enlightened through the word of God. Some think they do not need to be saved. Others think they can somehow save themselves. The Bible reveals the necessary path for all: "through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

Continuing in the Word of His Grace

And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith…And now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace.(Acts 14:21-22; 20:32)

The Lord desires for us to continue in a growing relationship with Him, continuing to draw more and more upon His grace: "continue with the Lord…continue in the grace ofGod" (Acts 11:23; 13:43). One vital aspect of this process is to be continuing in the word of His grace.

As Paul and his missionary team passed through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (in Pisidia), they urged the disciples there to "continue in the faith." "The faith" is often used in the Scriptures to refer to the revealed truth of God (in which we are to place our faith). Jude wrote in this manner. "I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude v. 3). Thus, the word of God is "the faith." Consequently, the call to "continue in the faith" was an exhortation to live by abiding in the word of God.

Later, when Paul was visiting the church leaders from Ephesus for the last time, he entrusted them unto the care of the Lord and His word. In doing this, he referred to the Scriptures as "the word of His grace." Grace characterizes the word of God. Grace permeates the word of God. Grace flows from the word of God. It is in the Scriptures that we learn of God's grace. There we learn of what it is (the Lord's undeserved riches, poured out freely for our justification, sanctification, and glorification). There we learn of our great need for grace (a desperate, comprehensive, continual need). Also, in the word we learn of how we can access it (through humble dependence upon the Lord).

If we are going to continue in grace as the Lord desires, we must continue in the word of His grace. We will want to read it prayerfully day by day. We will want to study it regularly for increased understanding. We will want to meditate upon it often for implications and applications. Above all, we will want to be in the word consistently that we might get to know the Christ of the word. In knowing Him more, His mighty grace will properly impact our lives.

More on Living According to God's Word

You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word…Let my cry come before You, O LORD; Give me understanding according to Your word. (Psalm 119:65 and 169)

Those who live according to God's word will characteristically have this testimony. "You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word." This is true, because the word of God is our comprehensive source of the Lord's direction and of Hisprovision. When God's mercy unto salvation is needed for new life, one must turn to God's word. "Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD-Your salvation according to Your word" (Psalm 119:41). When reviving is needed for those who have new life, one must turn again to God's word. "I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O LORD,according to Your word…My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word" (Psalm 119:107 and 25). Whatever the need, the Lord invites us to face itaccording to His word.

When we do not understand the issues of life that press painfully in upon us, it is again time to run to the Lord and His word. "Let my cry come before You, O LORD; Give meunderstanding according to Your word." So often, perplexity is our human situation. The word of the Lord can sort it all out.

When the circumstances around us, or the turmoil within us, bring great distress, it is once again time to rely upon the Lord and His word. "Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant" (Psalm 119:76). What comfort can fill our hearts, as we allow the Lord to speak words of peace and consolation from the Scriptures into our lives.

When our inner man is so burdened that we imagine our spiritual strength is gone forever, we have another great opportunity to seek the Lord in His word. "My soul melts fromheaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word" (Psalm 119:28). God's living and powerful word can bring strength anew to our weary soul.

When we are sinking into a sea of despondency, our God and His word are our sufficient remedy. "Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me beashamed of my hope" (Psalm 119:116). His life-giving word sustains us, proving once more that our hope in the Lord is never in vain.

When we are trapped or bound and need to be set free, God will again rescue us through His mighty word. "Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word" (Psalm 119:170). The Lord is our great Deliverer!