In 1878, a merchant in Bozeman, Montana, extended to Andrew Garcia what was called “jawbone credit.” Without putting anything into writing, he gave Garcia $300 worth of supplies for a hunting and trapping expedition. The trapper promised to return and pay his debt with hides and pelts from his expedition.

While Garcia was away, hostile Indians moved into the area around Bozeman. Weather conditions got bad. Fellow trappers told him to forget about returning to Bozeman, but Garcia wouldn’t hear of it. After a series of harrowing experiences, he returned to the merchant with hides and pelts to pay his debt. He kept his word.

We usually can’t put that much stock in verbal promises these days. Many people make pledges but fail to keep them. Every divorce means at least one person has broken a sacred vow. People in trouble with the law may promise to change their ways if only they can have another chance. But when they receive clemency, they often forget the vows they had made.

God too makes vows, but He always keeps His word. If He didn’t, we would have no basis for hope. Let’s thank Him for being a God of integrity and resolve that we will be people whose word can be trusted.

  — Herbert Vander Lugt