The Promise of Character

Character comes at a price and God's promise to us committed to following him is that he will develop it in our lives. "...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope." Romans 5:4

God's ability to use his people to bring about his kingdom on earth is completely dependant on our willingness to function in this character. The minute we don't, is the minute that we thwart the plans of God to bring about love, peace, and hope, to others all around us.

In Joshua Chapter 9 God had already used Joshua to destroy both the kingdoms of Jericho and Ai. Because of the great power of God's hand demonstrated through Joshua and Israel the other kingdoms in the area decided instead of taking on Joshua and his God to use deceit in which to acquire a treaty to ensure their safety. It worked. Joshua gave them the treaty thinking they were a people from far off and not living in the land God had promised to Israel.

When Joshua discovered they had tricked him he could have voided the treaty he offered them and easily justified his action. In fact all the assembly of Israel was pleading for him to do so. Instead he remained true to his promise. In doing so God was able to establish the land west of the Jordan as Israel's new home without having to destroy any more people.

The temptation for all of us is to justify the breaking of our oath in one moment for the convenience of the next moment. Many times we give our word before fully understanding the price it will cost us when time to deliver comes. What we must remember is that the story God is writing in the world around us is bigger than our inconvenience or personal costs. By remaining true to our word we remain true to his and allow him to use our faithfulness to bring peace, hope, love, and joy to our lives and the lives of all those around us.

Might my promises one moment be bigger than the convenience of re-niging in the next. Might yours be as well.