Today’s Tasting: Numbers 31-32: The people of Israel went to war against the Midianites, killing all the men and taking the women and children captive. They brought the spoils of war back to the camp, to Moses and Eleazar the priest, who divided the plunder among the children of Israel. Two tribes, the descendants of Reuben and of Gad, came to Moses and asked if they could stay east of the Jordan, because they had large numbers of livestock and the land was good for livestock. They promised Moses that they would build cities for their families to live in, but would arm themselves and go with the children of Israel when they crossed the Jordan to take possession of the land. “Then Moses said, ‘If you keep your word and arm yourselves for the Lord’s battles, and if your troops cross the Jordan and keep fighting until the Lord has driven out his enemies, then you may return when the Lord has conquered the land. You will have fulfilled your duty to the Lord and to the rest of the people of Israel. And the land on the east side of the Jordan will be your property from the Lord. But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. Go ahead and build towns for your families and pens for your flocks, but do everything you have promised’” (Numbers 27: 20-24).
Today’s Nourishment: When you make a promise people expect you to keep it. When you habitually keep your word, people learn to depend on you. When you do not, people discount your promises and you become known as someone who cannot be relied on. This may cause you to be overlooked even when an opportunity comes along that you would like to be part of. In today’s passage two tribes make a promise to Moses and to God to do their part when the time comes. Moses reminds them that if they fail to keep their word they will have sinned against God. We are fallible people. We will make mistakes and sometimes other people will find it hard to forgive us. But we can be confident that God will lovingly forgive us and give us the opportunity to make things right. Our failures are a constant reminder of why we need God. His word never fails. He gives the guarantee, “So shall my word be, it will not return unto me void and will accomplish everything it is sent out to do” (Isaiah 55:11). We must remember that we set up our lives and our experiences through the words we speak. The Bible lets us know that we shape our future with our tongues. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). We must watch what we say and keep our promises. Our words will open or close doors for us.
Pray with me as we work on this area of our lives.
Dear God, we come before you, asking forgiveness for anything that we have done that may not be pleasing to you. We thank you for another opportunity to utilize what you have given us to bring glory to your name. Please give us the ability to guard our tongues and speak life, encouragement, and honor when we put them to use. At the same time we ask that you will grant us the wisdom to determine what promises to make and when not to make promises, so that we bring only honor to you. We thank and praise you for the opportunities provided through your son Jesus and for building our desire to serve you. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
Tomorrow’s Delight: Numbers 33-34
Sonyita S. Connor-Clemons
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Email: sonyita@totallifeprosperityllc.com
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Yes, and amen! Love this post about our words, promises, and tongue. I seriously prayed this prayer and ask the Lord to grace me with the ability to guard my tongue, and speak life, encouragement, and honor.
I’m in agreement with the opening and closing of doors through what we speak. We truly have to be careful. I’m thankful that when we repent God gives us that chance to make it right. Thank Yo Lord that You are a God of promise and we can forever rely and depend on You!
Wow! Yes, I do believe we open and close doors with the words we speak. There’s power in words. Love the words of wisdom on keeping our word and keeping promises. I will be more aware of what I speak and what I promise.