Reflecting on God’s Faithfulness

Summary:

Isaiah 40:8 tells us, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”

God’s principles do not change and will never fade—they are eternal.  This is true of His character as well, which means He is consistent, trustworthy, and committed to providing the very best for His children regardless of how our circumstances may look.  Everything around us may seem as if it is falling apart; yet, God is still moving and working – and His purposes will be accomplished

Time has no effect upon God or upon how He makes His plans and decisions. Nothing that happens in our lives or in the world will ever surprise Him or interrupt what He is achieving for us.  This is why we can always count on Him being true to all of the promises He’s made to us.  Therefore, let us take time to reflect on His faithfulness.

Key Passage: Lamentations 3:22-23

Supporting Scripture: Joshua 1:6–8; Psalm 16:11;103:19;121:2-5; Proverbs 3:5–6; Isaiah 40:8; Isaiah 54:10; Daniel 6;John 3:16; Romans 10:13; Hebrews 13:8

Scriptural Principles:

1.    Knowing it is True.

Lamentations 3:22–23 reveals, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

In the NKJV, this passage is given as “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.”

In the RSV, we read “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.”

In the American Standard Version, this is given as “It is of Jehovah’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.”

 The New American Bible translates the verse as “The favors of the LORD are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent;   They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness.”

Yet, how can we confirm that this is, in fact, true? We can be absolutely certain about God’s faithfulness because of how He has acted throughout history.

Hebrews 13:8 affirms, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”

He has never failed His people and He never will.

2.    Conditional versus Unconditional Promises.

You may wonder, “Yes, God is faithful, but isn’t the fulfilment of His promises contingent upon our obedience?”

At times, it is.  However, sometimes it isn’t.  Many of God’s biblical promises are unconditional—it doesn’t matter whether or not we obey Him, God will proceed with His plan regardless of our response to Him.  An example of that is His pledge to send us a Saviour. Jesus came to die for our sins regardless of whether or not we thought we needed a Saviour.

On the other hand, God’s conditional promises are dependent upon our submission to Him.

For example, we will not actually experience the salvation Jesus offers unless we believe in Him.  We must respond to Him in faith as our Saviour and receive the gift of eternal life in order to enjoy it.

3.    Experiencing God’s faithfulness—the reward of obedience.

God will never stop being faithful to you.

Examples:

Isaiah wrote:”For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.“ (Isaiah 54:10)

The Psalmist wrote: “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.  Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is thy keeper“ (Psalm 121:2-5)

However, His best blessings are reserved for those who obey Him.

Psalm 16:11 promises, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

What happens if God reveals the path of life to you and you refuse to follow it?  Then you will not experience His joy or the delights He has for you.  Therefore, this is not an issue of His faithfulness, but of yours to obey.

4.    Seek God for Direction.

So how do we remain obedient to God in order to experience His faithfulness? The first thing we must learn to do is seek His guidance.

Proverbs 3:5–6 admonishes, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Or, as the last phrase is translated in the RSV, “... and He will make straight your paths”

Living a godly life does not come naturally to us—neither does trusting and submitting to God.

Yet, He will teach us how to follow Him and live a life that is pleasing to Him.  He will also show us that we can always have faith in His faultless character.

5.    Listen to God

The second thing you must do if you would like to experience God’s faithfulness is learn to listen to Him.

If you never discover how to hear His voice, you will never be able to trust Him fully or grow from what He is doing in your life.  God may direct you in ways you do not understand.  However, listen to Him anyway and do as He says.

Remember, “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” (Psalm 103:19).

He sees the path ahead when you cannot, and in His great wisdom, He is ordering your steps to fulfil His purpose for your life.  Therefore, listen to Him and do whatever He tells you, because obedience always brings blessing.

6.    Watch for God’s Help

Sometimes God will be very specific about what He desires for you to do or what He will accomplish in your life.  This is because the more difficult the path before you, the more He will have to help you and He wants you to have faith and depend upon Him.

Daniel’s experience in the lion’s den is a perfect example of this (Daniel 6).

Daniel’s enemies tricked King Darius into punishing him for worshipping God.  The sentence was death by lions.  Yet, he kept his eyes fixed upon the Lord despite his terrible circumstances and was saved.  Because of Daniel’s confidence that God would help him, even King Darius ended up praising God.

This is the key to the trials you face as well: Do not focus on the problems—watch for God’s help. Knowing God will never forsake you will help you face every obstacle that comes along with hope and perseverance.

7.    Cultivate Godly Thoughts

Finally, if you would like to experience God’s faithfulness, then you must embrace His Word.

 As the children of Israel stood ready to claim the Promised Land, the Lord told Joshua, “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7)

God wants His people to be successful, which is why He always admonishes you to cling to Scripture.

In the Bible are all the timeless principles that will help you live a godly life and all the testimonies that will help you remember God’s enduring faithfulness.

Therefore read it with joy, knowing that all He has done for Daniel, Joshua, and the rest, He will do for you as well if you will just trust Him and obey His commands.

Conclusion:

There is no doubt that God can and will keep His promises to you because He is absolutely faithful.  The only question is whether you will commit to seeking Him, listening to His commands, watching for His help and embracing His Word.  God wants the very best for you and will never lead you astray. And if you stay in the centre of His will, you will experience the very best He has to offer.

Will you trust Him? Will you submit to God and leave all the details of fulfilling His promises to you in His capable hands?

Don’t miss out on His best blessings because of doubt.

Trust Him and obey.