August 24 Integrity

1 Kings 18:13-16 Haven't you heard, my lord, what I did while Jezebel was killing the prophets of the Lord? I hid a hundred of the Lord's prophets in two caves, fifty in each, and supplied them with food and water. 14 And now you tell me to go to my master and say, 'Elijah is here.' He will kill me!" 15 Elijah said, "As the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present myself to Ahab today." 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

VOWS are an important part of our lives. Many youth become involved in organizations that require its members to say a pledge at the beginning of the meeting. The pledge supports one's personal allegiance to the club, and its members commit to live into its principles. Many of us take vows when we join a church, get married and start a job. We commit to live into the principles of that relationship. Those with whom we join - other church member, a spouse and coworkers - must know we have integrity to do what we say. Integrity is necessary in relationships. People are only truly together in a relationship with they fully trust one another.

           Obadiah needed to trust Elijah. You might think, "Well, Elijah's a prophet. Why would Obadiah question him?" The truth is, Obadiah knew there were many false prophets in Israel. He was legitimate to pursue truth from Elijah because his life depended on it. He also knew Elijah had been gone for three years. Obadiah needed to know Elijah would do as he had spoken.

           Elijah assured Obadiah with this profound vow, "As the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, I will surely present myself to Ahab today." Your commitment level can get no higher than this. Elijah expressed his work was to serve the Lord, in the name of the Lord. Elijah put his integrity on the truth of the Living God. Obadiah had the assurance he needed. 

           Our lesson here is to be a person of your word in all phases of your life. Especially remember that if we go around telling people we believe in God, we must be diligent to seek, know and live God's truths. Jesus judged the Pharisees for their absence of integrity: Matthew 15:7-8 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 8 "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." And he spoke judgment on all who call him Lord but refuse to live in his word. Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." 

           When you confess Jesus, "Lord and Savior." you are making a vow to submit to his authority. Follow Jesus with integrity. Perhaps when someone trusts you, he will come to trust Jesus.

Prayer: Guide all hearts, Holy Spirit, to teach your truth. May all teachers be people of integrity to live as they teach. In Jesus' name, amen.