The Faithful God

The Faithful God

Lamentations 3: 21-26

Intro: In a day of uncertainty and unrest, hearing of someone being faithful to something is almost unheard of. Even in the church we see and hear of folks leaving a place they have called home for no reason and becoming unfaithful to a God that saved them and becoming faithful to a devil that hates them. God help those that have turned or are thinking of turning their backs on the God that sent his only begotten son to die for them. Friend, people might be unfaithful just like the people that Jeremiah was dealing with, but there is one that is always faithful no matter the circumstances or criticism. God is faithful friend and we need to remember that no matter what is going on around us.

Main:

I) God is Faithful in His Grace v22a

(The word mercies is translated “loving-kindness” over thirty times in the OT. It is a very expressive word that conveys all the ideas of “love, grace, mercy, faithfulness, goodness and devotion.” This word pictures God as the divine lover of men. It finds its NT equivalent in the idea of God’s love and grace. Notice a couple of quick thought about the amazing grace of God.)

A) His Grace Saves Us-

Only the grace of God could reach us in our lost, doomed condition, Eph.2:1-4. We could not get to God, so God came to us! He came in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ to die for our sins, Phil.2:5-8. He came in the person of the Holy Spirit to draw us to God so that we might be saved, John 16:7-11; 6:44.

B) His Grace Secures Us-

Grace not only sought us out when we were lost in sin; grace keeps us in our saved condition. We are prone to failure. We are prone to spiritual wondering. If our salvation resented upon our ability to be faithful to the Lord, none of us would ever be saved. Thankfully, salvation is God’s arena, not ours. We are saved by His grace and we are kept by that same grace, 1Pet.1:5; Psa.37:23-24,28; John 4:13-14. Thank God for His unfailing, unchanging, faithful grace.

II) God is Faithful in His Gifts v22b-23

(Compassion literally means “womb”. It means to be moved in the heart out of love for another. This is a picture of the grace of God actively moving in the life of the believer. As we pass through our storms and our valleys, we do not do so alone. God observes our path and His grace gives us all we need for our journey. Notice two thoughts about the great gifts of God.)

A) Gods gifts are faithful v23b –

God did not promise an easy road but he did promise that his grace would be sufficient for every need. 2Cor.12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

1. Gift of his presence:

Matt.28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Heb.13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

2. Gift of His performance:

Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Focus on the word able. If this verse is to be taken at face value and I am certain that it is then it becomes plain that our God is grater by far than any problem we have or will ever have.

3. Gift of His Provision:

Phi. 4:19 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.;

Matt.6:25-33;

Psa.37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

All these verses show us the great truth that God is interested in meeting our needs.

4. Gift of His Person:

Mal.3:6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Heb.13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. These verses show the truth about Gods nature that makes him reliable at all times.

B) Gods Gifts are Fresh v23a –

According to this verse, the grace of God is a fresh as the new day.

III) God is Faithful in His Goodness v24-26:

(The word good has the idea of pleasant, agreeable and excellent. It refers to the character of God. This word reminds us that God is ever engaged in that which is best in the lives of His children.)

A) He is The Satisfier v24a –

God is described as the souls portion. Psa. 103:5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.; 107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.. Rom. 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

B) He is The Sustainer v24-25 –

God will never fail those who place their trust in Him. Not a single Word of His precious promises will ever fail to be honored by Him;

Psa.119:89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.;

Isa.40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

If you come to Him for salvation, He will not send you away lost,

John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out..

If you trust Him for salvation he will not send you to hell,

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.;

If you look to him for the needs in your life, you will never be disappointed,

Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom..

He will sustain you through this life and into eternity.

C) He Is The Savior v26 –

In this context Jeremiah is saying, “Those who wait on the Lord will see Him bring them out of their troubles and trials. He will not fail His children, but in His time he will deliever them from all their valleys.” We need to remember today that God is able to deliever both saint and sinner.

Conclusion:

My fellow saints, I would like to remind you that God knows where you are today. He knows what you are going through, Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.. He will not forsake you, but he will faithfully keep you and bring you out in His time, Psa. 34:15-22

Sinner friend, it may look like you are doomed, with no hope. I would like to tell you that God can save your soul by his marvelous grace, if you will but only look to Him by faith. If you will stop trusting in yourself, your religion and your own goodness; and if you will come to God confessing your sins and calling on Christ for salvation, God will save your soul, Rom.10:9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.