Be thou an example of the believers, in word.” I Timothy 4:12

This week we are looking at this verse in I Timothy where Paul is giving Timothy guidelines for his life, and considering how they can apply to our lives.

Perhaps you can remember instances of someone making a promise to you and then not following through on it. It is very disheartening to be anticipating a special treat and then being disappointed. It is far better to not make a promise than to break it.

One of the greatest compliments that someone can say about us is that “she is a woman of her word.” If we say yes to helping someone, we will show up on time and be there when they need us. If we have committed to being part of a committee, the rest of the members can be sure that we will do what we promised. Our children know that we will not promise them something that we cannot fulfill.

We are all familiar with Proverbs 3l, which describes a woman who fears the Lord. She has committed herself to the Lord, and her family. She chooses to serve them faithfully, fulfilling her promises. She is a woman of her word and thus:

Verse 11 “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.”

Verse 28 “Her children arise up, and call her blessed;”

My Bible reading this morning was the story of Abraham’s sending his servant to find a bride for Isaac. I love how he asked God to give him a sign and immediately Rebekkah appeared. She could have ignored him but instead gave him water to drink and watered his camels. When he had presented his errand to her family, and they asked her if she was willing to go, she answered, “I will go.”

Mounting on a camel and riding off into the future with an unknown man must have been a bit scary, but she was a “woman of her word” and went willingly.

Prayer: Jesus, as your daughters, we desire to be all that you would have us be. Help us to be faithful and trustworthy, “women of our word.”