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October 7, 1998, Wednesday
Have you ever been told something only to later discover
that what you were told was not exactly the truth? Is there
anyone that you know that has never ever said something
that was not true? How important is our word to those
that are around us? What happens when a treaty between
two countries has been violated?
There is only one person I know that has never told a lie.
The writer of the Hebrews tells us that: "God was determined
to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability
of His counsel, that He confirmed it by an oath, to prove two
unchangeable facts, 1) it is impossible for God to lie, 2) we
may have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay
hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor
of the soul, both sure and steadfast" (Heb 6:17-18a,paraphrased).
God intended for us to count on His word, because it has never
failed in the past, nor will it fail in the future.
Paul tells us that our word is so important that our eternal
future depends on it. Matter of fact, it is the method that
God uses to save a man. "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU,
in your mouth and in your heart and mind "that is, the word
of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with
your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart and mind
that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with
the heart and mind a person believes, resulting in righteousness,
for with the mouth he confesses, salvation becomes the result" ,
(Rom 10:8-10,paraphrased). A man's word expresses what has
happened inside. Actions then follow what was expressed by
his words. If there is no action the word was not sincere.
Ecuador and Peru are disputing over territorial boundaries
that were previously agreed. The misunderstanding has led
to the countries seeking a mediator to settle the dispute.
At times before conversion every believer was disputing with
God about his life, but the time came in the life of each
present believer that a mediator was called. Paul tells us
that God wants every person to be free from that dispute and
that He sent a mediator for us: "God desires all men to be
saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is
one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ
Jesus, Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in
due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle-
I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying-a teacher of
the Gentiles in faith and truth. I desire therefore that the
men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and
doubting" (1 Tim 2:4-8). God's mediation always brings peace.
Let us remember who is the God that never breaks His
promise. God's name is Jehová El Berith. Jehová El Berith
makes covenants, contracts, pacts, and agreements. His
terms and His word are irrevocable. The Psalmist knew
the strength of that promise and declared, "I will praise
You as long as I live, and in Your Name I will lift up my
hands" (Psa 63:4). Raise your hands to Him and Praise
Him today for His all of His promises that have not
failed in your life!
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