Words Matter

No one is perfect. It happens to the best of us sometimes. We have practiced what we are going to say many times, the audience is packed in, the cameras are ready and then it happens ~ we stumble through something very important. This has happened to me and it is embarrassing! At the Inauguration Ceremony on January 20, 2009, President Obama and Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts had such a moment. With Senator Obama's left hand on the Bible and the entire world listening, Justice Roberts said,

"I Barack Hussein Obama do solemnly swear..."

Before he could finish the sentence, Senator Obama interrupted him and began repeating the line. Roberts paused and Obama then repeated the entire first line. Minor mistake and clearly human in nature.

This error was followed by a misquoting of the oath initiated by Justice Roberts and repeated by Senator Obama. From there onward, the oath was administered correctly.

The fact that the oath was misquoted raised doubt and discomfort in the minds of White House lawyers. Our U.S. Constitution specifies the exact words to be used in the oath. When the words were misspoken, the oath was compromised. Unless something was done to rectify this mistake, it was quite possible that someone, somewhere, somehow could legally wrestle the office away from President Obama. All because the words matter.

Fortunately and wisely, President Obama and Justice Roberts did the oath-taking ceremony properly the next day. Although many media commentators and American citizens missed the seriousness of the decision, the legal pundits did not. They had a grave sense that there would be a day of reckoning unless action was taken. They had to make it right. They knew that words matter.

As embarrassing as it may have been, taking the time to do it right was the right decision because the U.S. Constitution is binding law for all Americans. Similarly, the Bible is binding law for all mankind and especially for those who swear allegiance to Christ and carry His flag in our hearts, our homes and our churches.

God's commands are to be taken seriously, His words matter. Just like with the Inaugural Day oath that was re-done to get it right, we are given second chances to get it right. Just like with the Inaugural Day oath, there are risks we assume when we chose to ignore what the law says.

There are 143 million orphans in the world today, 500, 000 children in foster care within the United States. We took an oath of allegiance when we claimed Christ as Lord. And His heart for the orphan, the poor and the oppressed is clear. His words matter.

Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Psalm 82:3

Not all are called to adopt but ALL are called to help, to look after and to care for the orphan. In doing so, we get to see the heart of God. Be careful though, it may change your life. Watch and see!