Raise your right hand and repeat after me    

“But you are near, O LORD, and all your commands are true. The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.” Psalm 119:51, 60 NLT

Much has been made on social media and mainstream news networks of Donald Trump not having placed his hand on the Bible during the swearing in ceremony. The best of intentions sometimes goes awry even in a well-planned inauguration of a president of the United States. The President-elect had chosen the first Bible his mother gave him and the famous Lincoln Bible used by President Lincoln. The problem was the oath was already being administered when the future first lady was in position with the Bibles. Yes, an unintentional case of bad timing even in a Presidential inauguration.

Regardless of whether President Trump had his hand on the Bibles, does that relieve him of holding to the oath since he did not have his hand placed on them, or if he did does it make his oath more authentic? I find these questions interesting for discussion, but I also find them irrelevant. The main question to consider is, is the Bible relevant to the one taking the oath. Does a future president or anyone taking an oath in a court room believe the Bible is God’s Word, every word of it, and fearing the Lord God Almighty? I thought of that question last weekend before the inauguration on my drive to visit a family member by something that provoked me on the radio.

This is a lesson for all of us to consider when we’re asked to raise our right hand and swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. If we believe in the God of the Bible and His Son Jesus Christ, and believe His Word is true, we can easily place our hand on the Bible. But if there is no Bible we can still swear by His Word and His Name, for we are committing to tell the truth before His presence. Whether Donald Trump had his hand on the Bible or not, his oath was before a Holy God who gave us His Holy Word. What makes an oath authentic is swearing before the one you truly believe in.