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SCRIPTURE
16 “You’re hopeless! What arrogant stupidity! You say, ‘If someone makes a promise with his fingers crossed, that’s nothing; but if he swears with his hand on the Bible, that’s serious.’ 17 What ignorance! Does the leather on the Bible carry more weight than the skin on your hands? 18 And what about this piece of trivia: ‘If you shake hands on a promise, that’s nothing; but if you raise your hand that God is your witness, that’s serious’? 19 What ridiculous hairsplitting! What difference does it make whether you shake hands or raise hands? 20 A promise is a promise. What difference does it make if you make your promise inside or outside a house of worship? A promise is a promise. God is present, watching and holding you to account regardless.
MATTHEW 23:16-22 [MSG]
OBSERVATION
The official swearing in of a President is nothing more than a display for the masses. For God, just saying "I promise" is commitment enough.
APPLICATION
This past week, Barack Obama took the oath of office. Twice. It was botched the first time -- both by Obama and Chief Justice Roberts -- and it was determined by someone that the oath should be repeated, just for the sake of being legal and binding.
Interesting, isn't it? That Obama (or one or more of his Advisors, possibly), felt it prudent for Obama to repeat his promise to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, because the words didn't come out smoothly and perfectly in some pre-defined order the first time.
It is even rumored that when Obama took his oath the second time, there was no Bible used. In fact, pictures of Obama being re-sworn show him with his right hand raised while his left hand -- instead of resting on a Bible -- hangs limp to his side. Some would have us think that this is a travesty -- that swearing, but not doing it on the Bible, makes it meaningless.
Jesus Himself said that raising our hand, or placing it on a Bible, do nothing to make a promise more binding than the mere word of the promise. A promise is a promise, whether your hand is placed on the leather surface of the Bible, or an open passage in the Bible, or hanging limply at your side, or stuffed in a pocket, or holding a corn dog. A promise is a promise, whether you raise your right hand, twiddle your thumbs, or pick your nose with it. The fact that Barack Obama swore to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States is all that is needed for God to hold him to account for living up to that promise. Because no matter what Obama does over the next four years, he will one day have to answer to God for it.
If that's good enough for God, it's good enough for me, so help me God.
PRAYER
Father, I pray that Mister Obama will live up to the promise he made during his oath of office. While he has made many promises I hope he breaks, some are so critical that breaking them could mean disaster for our country. I trust You, Lord, to hold the man accountable for his actions.
Your comments?
Joe
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