Before Saying, “Aye”

How enlightening are word searches. Looking up the word “aye,” I was intrigued by some of the synonyms listed in Webster’s online dictionary:

“Synonyms-Adverb (1)- always, e’er, eternally, ever, everlasting, evermore, forever, forevermore, indelibly, permanently, perpetually

Synonyms-Adverb (2)- all right, alright, exactly, OK (or okay), okeydoke (or okeydokey), yea, yeah, yep, yes, yo”

This ancient word holds much deeper meaning than a simple, flippantly tossed, “yes.” It connotes long lasting effects. Picture our ancestors voting on serious subjects. We are no less challenged today.

In Matthew 5:37 NKJV, Jesus instructs: “But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”

With long to everlasting, eternal meanings to one’s “yes” or “no,” it causes me pause to consider with whom or what I am standing in agreement or dissent. Not just in my everyday decisions, but especially when exercising the freedom to vote. On what basis am I making my decision? Is it based on emotion, as unsteady and capricious as shifting sand? On the opinions of others that may be driven by fears, lies, or hidden self-centered motives? Or is it based on firm unchanging truths that sink not beneath my feet?

There is much to consider when agreeing with something or someone. Before saying, “aye,” I must take the time to pause, consider, pray for discernment, then ask myself, “Am I agreeing with truth or error?” When we seek the LORD’s wisdom, He leads us into His life-giving, unchanging truth. The firm foundation on which to base our decisions. Having learned His promises are trustworthy, I can heartily say, “aye!” to Him! And to seek His wisdom through all the issues we face each day.

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Father, teach us Your truth. Give us ears to hear and hearts to follow You. Thank You that Your desire is to give us life, to “give us a hope and a future.” Draw us ever closer in Your presence that we may know You, and experience that personal relationship with You that You offer us. Teach us how we may preserve, and grow in, the love and blessings You have bestowed on Your creation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Psalms 62:8 NKJV “Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah”

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

John 18:37 ‘Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”’

1 John 4: 1-6 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”