Photo courtesy of Nathan Berry,
Image Copyright 2022 TakeN Photography.
“When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for it would be sin in you, and the Lord your God will surely require it of you.”
My dad was a respected man in the village and in surrounding villages; men often came to him with their problems. What made him stand out was his honour with which he carried himself, treating others with fairness and kindness. Dad had read widely and could advise on many topics of conversation. Above all it was known that if Charlie Kearns said something it could be trusted, his word was his bond. I was raised to follow in his footsteps in these things, and since my childhood I have learned to be cautious with my words and particularly my promises, never being too quick with either.
As I grew up I saw that like my dad I stood out from my peers, for the same reasons that dad stood out from his peers. There are those who despise honourable individuals; the light of their honour shines on the grime in their life. It also became clear to me that for many folk that I knew talk was cheap; they would blurt out the first thing that came to mind in any given moment, or even make empty promises. I recognised the qualities of honour in others too and became friends with them; indeed two of these men are still as close as brothers to me today. Other folks have faded away into the past, like shells washed out to sea. In all this I talk of man’s honour; our text today calls us to a higher honour – that expected from a child of God.
Dear reader, do you wear the cloak of holy honour for your God? Have you filled your mind and heart with the wisdom of His Scriptures, saturating your behaviour and speech with the Word of God and the presence of Christ? Brother and Sister, is your word your bond for God today? When you make a promise, do you keep it; to men but most of all to God your Father?
- The Watchers!
- Triumph Over Apollyon!
- Running The Good Race
- To Know God’s Comfort
- Kindness & Forgiveness
Devotional Treasure 
Full of meaning and beautiful. Thank you.
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Thank you Faye, God bless you today sister
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Excellent insight brother. This is it: “do you wear the cloak of holy honor for your God?”
That is a great question. This reminds me of Jesus saying, “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”
Shalom!
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Thank you for your precious words of encouragement Michael, God bless you today brother 🙏
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These are wise words Alan and to be prayerfully considered. A few years ago my friend had a similar word and bible verses from the Lord about unfulfilled vows/promises. Sometimes, and I have been guilty of this myself, we make a rash promise or a vow to others and to God which we don’t then fulfil. I have heard this in prayers. God if you will just do this for me or for whoever then I will do x for you. Hannah made a vow to God about a child and imagine what would have happened if she had broken that vow to give Samuel to God. I had to repent myself of breaking a vow to God and I try to be careful now with making promises to others. It’s a serious business and our words are powerful but God is gracious and forgiving. The Lord also showed me the effect of keeping a wrong vow made from a place of pain. I had vowed never to go to a church fellowship again. I kept that vow for 12 years. The Lord showed me that I had trapped myself in a vow that was wrong. It had affected my life in ways I had not realised. I repented and broke the effects of that vow off my life. I rejoined church fellowship. We make vows in all areas of our life and sometimes just don’t realise the effect. I pray God will reveal through the Holy Spirit to those reading your post if they have unfulfilled vows or made wrong vows. Bless you for your post.
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You are so right Nicola, we should be careful with our words. They can damage us as well as others. I know myself that I have said things in the past that I regretted instantly and even today. I made a similar vow regarding church fellowship, and this year sees me reversing that vow. I find the whole process difficult, but in it I am determined to obey His guidance. Thank you for your honest comments on this post Nicola, they are an encouragement. May our Father God continue to guide and bless us as we follow His Word.
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If my experience helps in any way Alan, I repented, asked the Lord in His mercy and grace to restore the years the locusts had eaten, to heal and restore broken trust and the bonds of fellowship. Bless you.
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Amen sister 🙏
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David remembered his promise/covenant to Jonathan; therefore Mephibosheth (Jonathan’s handicapped son) continually at at the Kings table- not as a pauper, but a prince💕
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Yes! Mephibosheth is a Biblical type for the lost sinner being brought back into the family of Father God. Hallelujah!
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What a beautiful legacy!
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Thank you Barbara, God bless you today sister.
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A few times in my church or work life, somebody has told me they wished they had principles like mine. I’m not always sure it was meant as a compliment, but I’ll take it as such.
It isn’t easy standing for what you believe in. Job’s comforters abound at every corner. Which is why we need to study the word, and choose our battles wisely, whether that is how others to make use of our time or anything else including the things we say.
Less is more!!
Andy B
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Standing on God’s guidance and Holy Word is not easy in this age that we live in. There are times I have been challenged for my stand on biblical beliefs, particularly regarding gender etc. But those who know me now rather than persist choose to stay clear of such debate. I take this as a positive too Andy; it says that I have made the case for Godly standards successfully.
It never fails to amaze me how many folk criticise the Bible, but when asked if they have read it the answer is no. As the conversation develops it turns out their primary source is at best third, fourth or 100th hand. Then is the time I ask whether they want to stake their life on such a shaky source, would it not be better to do your own research?
Strange, I never meant to rant about witnessing…but I will leave it in, maybe someone will be encouraged.
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It’s relavent
I’d take that silence as a positive too to be honest
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Amen brother. We are off to Edinburgh in the next hour for my hospital appointments; one with my neuropsychologist and one with my main consultant regarding my brain tumour. It is quite a trek of an hour plus.
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safe travels Alan. praying for you for peace.
Andy B
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What an honorable man your dad is an example for all of us Christians in terms of our impact in the community
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Yes he was, but in the privacy of home he was not a good person. I choose to remember the good as well as the bad Jim. I forgave him years ago and released the chains that held me back.
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What a testimony of amazing grace that you can forgive him. Sad that you had to endure the other side of your father, the one outside the public eye
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Thank you! 🙏
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