Truth

Our grandkids recently spent two days with us. When their folks came to collect them, their mom told 3-year-old Anna to put her shirt and socks in the suitcase that was in our bedroom. I happened to be in the bedroom but wasn’t aware that Anna was under orders, so I didn’t pay much attention to what she was doing when she dashed in and out.

Several minutes later, Anna’s mom walked into the bedroom. “Did Anna put her shirt and socks in the suitcase?” she asked me. “I don’t know,” I said. “I didn’t see her do it.”

Anna returned at that exact moment and overheard my statement. She stopped short and looked at me. “Grandma,” she commanded in her pipsqueak voice. “You need to tell the truth.”

I may chuckle at my granddaughter’s observation, but I agree wholeheartedly. I do need to tell the truth. Don’t we all?

Sometimes we struggle with speaking the truth, especially if we think coloring it might benefit us or cover a mistake. Sometimes our human emotions overrule our sense and make it difficult to discern the truth let alone speak it. Occasionally a painful truth is so difficult to bear that we’d rather deny it exists. Or we’re scared to speak the truth lest others take offense.

Thankfully God’s words are always truthful. They never change based on feelings or circumstances, and we never have to question their integrity or wonder if He’ll keep His promises. Psalm 119:160 says, “The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.”

Why is truth the essence of God’s words? Because God’s character is truth itself. There isn’t so much as a pinch of deceit in Him, therefore He cannot lie. Just a wee bit different from the lot of us, I’d say.

The very essence of God’s words is truth. Let’s pray that others can say the same for our words.