rsz_1newspaperThe time of free-agency in any sport can be a time of excitement and hope. Players from all around the league have their contracts expire, and are free to explore their options. The players get excited about the possibilities of making more money, getting on a better team, and furthering their personal careers. Depending on the free-agent list, teams will get excited about the possibility of gaining an asset for the present and future of their franchise. However, despite all the good possibilities in free-agency there is always the ominous chance that a team does not get what they hope for. Fans do their best to avoid pessimism and reach for optimism, but the truth of the matter is that the deal is not over until the contract is signed.

The NBA recently had a flurry of verbal commitments from free-agents to sign binding contracts to play with a team. These verbal commitments have no concrete effect on any deal the player, or team, seeks to establish. It is a mere reliance on their word. The majority of verbal commitments see the fruition of a binding contract. However, there are exceptions, and there will continue to be.

The Dallas Mavericks, desperately in need of a top tier player, recently received a verbal commitment from the LA Clippers center, DeAndre Jordan, to sign a contract. The fan base was excited, as well as the Mavericks administration, and owner. However, the Clippers lobbied to bring Jordan back to LA, since he had not yet signed the contract. Their evil company corrupted DeAndre Jordan (you can probably tell I am a Mavericks fan if you didn’t already know), and he retracted his verbal commitment, and signed with LA.

This, although a trivial matter, is a reflection of the inconsistency of man’s word. The Psalmist writes, “Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man in whom there is no help. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his plans perish” (Psalm 146:3-4). Basketball is one thing. Salvation is another. The importance of this matter transcends all else, yet some still put their trust in the wavering promises of mankind. Elsewhere the Psalmist pens, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes” (Psalm 118:8-9). There are characteristics of God that ensure trust in Him is not folly. These are some:

  • His word is truth. The inerrancy of God and His word is paramount. Because He is perfect, anything that comes from Him is perfect. Jesus prayed for His disciples saying, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17).
  • He is faithful. God’s word is truth, and therefore He is faithful. We can trust Him to the uttermost and He will not, and cannot, fail us. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Therefore, we should “hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who is promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
  • His counsel is immutable. Even men that have a reputation of being trustworthy can, if they choose to, change their words. God cannot do this. “It is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18). Therefore, when He makes a promise, or reveals His will, He cannot, and will not alter His word.

There are certain people, and things, we are tempted to trust. God has made it clear He is the only One we can put our full trust in. It is only He that will keep His word, without a doubt, no matter what may come, until the end. “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen” (Jude 24-25).