Today we hear voices coming from all directions. Communication is at an all-time high. Many of these voices are trying to persuade us about something. What we ought to buy, who we should vote for, what we should give our loyalty to, and so much more.

How often do we hear of broken election promises, bad business deals, people deceived even to the point of having their lives ruined.

Keeping a promise

Sadly, the word of another is getting harder to believe, making cynicism and distrust the emerging common response of today. The media is ably keeping us informed of scams, swindles, rackets and rorts. Meantime, our faith in human nature is taking a nosedive. Little wonder the average person is unimpressed by political rhetoric, hard sell and televangelists.

We make victims of each other when we tell lies because someone gets hurt, someone is let down. Children feel it when Mum or Dad promise something and then fail to deliver. Husbands and wives are hurt when promises--even wedding vows--are dishonoured and cast to one side. We can all remember some occasion when we have been disappointed — even insulted — by a lie.

Getting away with it

There was a time when honesty was held up as a virtue. The saying went: ‘A man’s word is his bond’. But now we see something else being praised and approved. Being smart enough to get votes by persuasiveness, then to forget what you said once in office. Or to tell just a few white lies in business, then making a handsome profit and being called ‘successful’. Some music groups have tried miming to their tapes rather than going to the trouble of singing to the audience.

An increasing number of people cheat on their marriage partner with so-called ‘harmless affairs’, especially while away from home.

The rule seems to be: ‘don’t get caught and all is well’.

Double standard

A twist to this whole sorry story is that most people, it seems, will resort to a lie when they feel it is going to help them. Oh yes, they are strong in their denunciation of others who have deceived them in some way but it doesn’t stop them from lying when they see fit. Some how or other people will find a way of justifying a lie to Social Security or the Taxation Department.

Justice in the end

Those who cry out that justice must be done and the truth comes out can rest assured that it will. God has promised it and here is a word we can trust. ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay’ says the Lord in the book of Romans chapter 12 and verse 19Romans chapter 12 and verse 19.

All those who are disillusioned with their fellow human beings, please, don’t give up in despair. There is a place to put your faith. There is One who will not, who cannot, let you down. The God of the bible cannot lie. He is the God who keeps his word, a word that assures us of his love and concern for all, and what He has done for us in Christ when he died in our place.

As one who has placed his faith in a faithful Lord, I can only recommend to you that you do the same. He is the rock that doesn’t move. He cannot deny himself. As Jesus said while he was here; ‘I am the truth’ (John 14:6John 14:6). He who trusts in him shall never be disappointed (Romans 10:11Romans 10:11).