As Good As Your Word
Dr. David Livingstone, the great missionary explorer to Africa, once planned a dangerous expedition from Central Africa to the Atlantic Coast. He needed twenty-seven natives to accompany him. The route was infested with slave traders, and Dr. Livingstone promised them safe passage to and from the coast.
When they reached the coast Dr. Livingstone was sick from the journey. He had not seen his family for over two years. And there, lying in the harbor, was a British ship ready to sail for home. Livingstone was urged to make the journey so that the cool climate of England could surely restore his health.
But, no. He had given his word to return his twenty-seven companions safely to their homes. He handed over his maps and his notes to the captain of the ship and, as the ship nosed out of the harbor, Livingstone turned toward Central Africa.
Trust in a person's word is the foundation upon which our civilization stands. If we cannot take God's or man's word on its face value, we are in a sorry plight. If a people or a nation cannot be trusted to keep a promise the world can easily tumble into a global war.
Honesty begins with the individual. You! Sometimes it may not be convenient to stand back of a promise, but you will be expected to be as good as your word. The world depends upon people like you. The Psalmist said that only they are fit to live with God who will keep promises even when they know they will be seriously inconvenienced by doing so.
Even when I'd rather not, dear Christ, help me to keep my promises.
