Since our first granddaughter, Sophia, was very small, my mom has taught our granddaughters about “Scout’s honor”. Whenever we would ask her to do something, we would say, “Scout’s honor”, making the sign of scouts with our fingers.

For a while, conversation with Sophia on any given subject with me had transpired with the same progression of questions:

“Mimi, are you sure?”
“Mimi, do you promise?”
“Mimi, scout’s honor!”

She had learned the concept that my word is my word. Once I said, “Scout’s honor”, she KNEW THAT SHE KNEW we were going to play The Memory Game; I would read her three books; we were going to go outside to play; and I would let her play with the hose.

You get the point. She knew. And she rested in that. She rested in the fact while she may not get it at the immediate moment, she would get it at the moment in time which was right because I had promised. This has provoked some thought as we are told …

“Above all, my brothers, do not swear ”“ not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No”, no, or you will be condemned.” (James 5:12)

There should be no reason for us to convince one another that what we are saying is true. The Expositor’s Commentary explains, the Christian:

 “… should be honest in all his speech so that when he makes an affirmation or denial people will know it is unquestionably the truth.”

Basically, our word should be our word. Let’s not make promises we cannot keep. Better yet, that we know we have no intentions of keeping.

More thought was provoked as I realized, there is another One Whose “Yes” is yes.

“The faithfulness of God’s word is most clearly manifested in the coming of his Son. All of God’s promises to Israel find their yes in him … Christ is God’s yes to all meaningful human hopes. Christ is God’s yes to human longing for life, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification.”
(New American Commentary)

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ.”
(2 Corinthians 1:20).

Today may I remember – my word is to be my word.

But more importantly, may I remember that His Word is His Word. May I find rest in that. May I KNOW THAT I KNOW He will fulfill His promises to me ”“ in His time, in His way.

“Scout’s Honor!”

Today I am joining … Coffee for Your Heart and Thursday Favorite Things .