God's Faithfulness

When we come across the term “God’s faithfulness,” what does that mean to you? Does it remind you of the song “Great is thy faithfulness?” So, is it the new mercies I see morning by morning? Is it the unchanging nature of God my Father? Is it the mysteries of the cosmos that we are witnessing on a daily basis? Or, is it strength that we receive for today and bright hope for tomorrow?

By now, you probably know where I’m going with this. God’s faithfulness encompasses many things. His faithfulness works from a personal space all the way to the heavenly realms. His faithfulness does not start and ends with you. It started when He spoke the world into motions and forever continues when you glorify Him in heaven.

God’s faithfulness to you and me is the basis of our faithfulness to Him.

You cannot have faith in something if it doesn’t already have a solid foundation. Would you believe in products built by a start-up company? Or would you trust companies that have a strong reputation for their products? My family recently switched to KIA Motors, and it was a surprise to most people and also to ourselves. But it would even be more of a surprise if I said that to you 20 years ago. I can still remember a TV show called “Motoring Trend” that reviewed a KIA which claimed to have no steering even if you began to convulse violently. The stick shift between gears was a mile long. So on and so forth.

But they’ve come a long way. They kept improving, and today, they are ranked 3rd in global auto sales. If it wasn’t for their growing reputation and the trust of the people, we would’ve never bought into their brand.

God’s faithfulness did not have to grow. It was there in the beginning, and it encompasses all things because it is the foundation of our faith. That is how powerful and at the same time convicting.

If you look at verses 1 to 3, you can see that God is using the prophet Jeremiah as His mouthpiece to pronounce judgement on the land of Judah, or some may call it the “Southern Kingdom.” What kinds of judgement? We wouldn’t be able to go into details because what was recorded on the scroll was the compilation of the 22 years of ministry of Jeremiah started from King Josiah, which was Jehoiakim’s father. But we could summarize the message of God which was repeated over and over by his prophet.

Jeremiah 18:7–10 NIV

7 If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. 9 And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.

It was the same message throughout each generation, repent and turn from your wicked ways. For Jeremiah, no one listened, and he was even threatened with death.

Jeremiah 26:7–9 NIV

7 The priests, the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the Lord. 8 But as soon as Jeremiah finished telling all the people everything the Lord had commanded him to say, the priests, the prophets and all the people seized him and said, “You must die! 9 Why do you prophesy in the Lord’s name that this house will be like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted?” And all the people crowded around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.

Wouldn’t that be disappointing? Discouraging? Or even frightening? But God’s faithfulness is strength over fear. When the word of the LORD came upon Jeremiah, his immediate reaction was what? “Not again….God, I did that already, but no one listened. They were even trying to kill me!” Rather, Jeremiah had faith in God’s faithfulness and overcame His fear.

Furthermore, it was God’s faithfulness to rescue those that are willing to turn from their wicked ways. Isn’t that true until today? That God’s faithfulness never changes? He is still seeking and saving the lost whose hearts are ready to repent from their wicked ways and turn to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?

John 3:17–18 NIV

17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Do you see? The message of God is still the same 2,600 years ago and right now?

Implication #1: God’s faithfulness to save results in our faithfulness to repent and be saved from wickedness.

Verses 4-9,

According to history, it was the year 605 BC. On the day of fasting, people from all over the land of Judah would gather at the Jerusalem temple. But, what is so significant in 605 BC is when Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian King defeated the Egyptians in the battle of Carchemish. The Babylonians became the dominant world power. The Judeans began to worry, why? Well, politically speaking, the land of Judah (Southern kingdom) was doing well economically for the Egyptians who destroyed most of the Assyrian army. They are the ones that conquered the Land of Israel in 721 BC, the Northern Kingdom. Without going into too much history, now comes Babylon. So, at 605 BC the Egyptians fell to the Babylonians at Carchemish.

You can look at it this way, you have Dr. Otto Octavius, and Dr. Octopus. Otto Octavius would be the Assyrian Empire that destroyed the Northern Kingdom and Dr. Octopus destroying the Southern Kingdom. So now, “Dr. Octopus is coming, Baruch, go tell all the people of Judah that destruction is coming.” And in hopes of that, “they will come before the LORD, and everyone will turn from their evil way…”

This piece of history tells us so much about the character of God which is His hate for sin. He demands us to be Holy for He is Holy. But our God gives us all that we need to become Holy, that is, His Son Jesus Christ. How does that work you might ask? God’s faithfulness has always been to make his people holy. He’s never changed that plan or deviated or normalized anything to compromise His faithfulness. He wants nothing more and nothing less, that’s our God. So, in order to do that, He gave us His ultimate “tool”, that is, His one and only Son Jesus.

The anger from God towards the Southern Kingdom is the same anger that God has towards humanity, right now, at this moment. But you see, because of the cross, in hope, we will come before our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and everyone will turn from their evil ways and repent out of the mercy of God Himself. So if you examine the cross carefully, on one side, you should see mercy, and on the other, you should see grace pouring down on us.

We deserved the wrath of God – we were in the position to receive God’s anger but because of Jesus and what He has accomplished on that cross so now, we are in a new position. A place of justification and the road of sanctification for those who believe.

Implication #2: The faithfulness of God is the outpouring of sacrificial love and grace on his people.

Verse 10-15

Nowadays, there are many online influencers be it on YouTube, Instagram, or Tik Tok. They create content that influences millions of people. One of them is my son. One day, he kept asking for a YouTube channel called “Mr. Beast.” I questioned myself about what I’d just heard. Well, I searched and looked him up and Jimmy Donaldson has a combined total of 169 million subscribers to his channels. Jimmy Donaldson literally runs an online empire!

Jehoiakim is also running an empire with people following him. We come across some of his officials, to name a few, and they are Micaiah, Elishama, Delaiah, Elnathan, Zedekiah, and Jehudi. These were the people following their King and they were doing everything that the King tells them to do.

Jehoiakim, unlike his father Josiah, was a godless king. He had no fear of God and a hardened heart which we will see later. So, one should expect his loyal officials are the same. Well, I believe they are without any doubt. Unless they want to be tried for treason against their king, they’d better follow exactly what he tells them. But here’s the thing, when Baruch read from the scroll, there was a turning point. The officials had an “ah-ha!” moment. It was like a light bulb that lighted up. They realized that what their king is doing was completely against God. Their “influencer” in life was influencing their lives in the wrong direction.

This fact in the Bible remains true today. How many times have we been swept by the waves of culture? These waves cause us to sway back and forth unable to set foot on a firm foundation. The Apostle Paul warns us to stop buying into the culture and start living a new life according to the Word of God.

Romans 12:2 NIV

2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

What is the “renewing of your mind?” It is the word of God and you trusting its contents. Our minds are like a jar of water, constantly being filled. When it runs low, you refill it. But what fills it is most important. The living water is the living word of God and it belongs to Christians living for Christ. But you must trust and have faith in its power to change and redirect your life in accordance with God’s good, pleasing and perfect will.

Implication #3: The faithfulness of God is trusting in the power of the living word to accomplish His work in those who live for Jesus.

Verse 15-16

As we’ve been saying the difference between Jehoiakim and his father Josiah, it must be frightening to bring such bad news or should we say “The Good News” before a king. How dare they! Well, to a non-believer, or an unregenerate heart, God’s words are all bad news because they are all destined for destruction. But our God provides a way out if you repent, believe, and live by faith and not by sight. The actions of bringing the word of God to king Jehoiakim by the officials are exactly the same ministries that all of you are partaking in. Do you realize that all of the sisters and brothers in Christ are in a certain degree a minister? That all of you have been called to minister God’s word to the world?

Implication #4: The faithfulness of God gives power to the ministries of God in faith.

Despite the strife, anger, and hatred towards the word of God, it doesn’t stop the work and the ministries of God. Through the faithfulness of the corporate ministry and the obedience of the people towards God’s words in faith, had come a full circle from the people to the officials, and back to Jehoiakim.

Verse 20-26

We see an epic battle here.

There are those who stood on the king’s side and another group who stood with the word of God. If you were there, who would you side with? King Jehoiakim? Agreeing to everything even though your conscience says it’s wrong?

Let me tell you a story about myself. I have always been nicknamed the “yes” man and I think even today too. I tend to not know how to say “no” to people. That got me into a lot of trouble when I was young. A lot less now because now I’ve learned to stay away. The same thing applies to our faith. Perhaps there will be peer pressure from coworkers, school friends, or sometimes certain family members. They all can create doubt and even frustration as you navigate through these relationships.

But when you take a closer look at what the three officials have done, they chose to side with the word of God. In other words, they choose eternity with the LORD over damnation with the Jehoiakim. The question here is, for whom are you living for?

Implication #5: The faithfulness of God questions your foundation.

Verse 27-32

There are going to be people that will not listen to or accept God’s word. What should we do? Give up? Let them travel on the path of eternal suffering? Of course not!

In Jeremiah Chapter 36, we cannot experience what Jeremiah went through from prophesying for God. He was …

1. Not listened to (Jer. 7, 13, 18, 19)

2. Mistreated – Beaten (Jer. 20), Death sentenced (26), Left for dead in mud (38), he was called a liar (43)

But Jeremiah continues to do God’s work without excuses. After the first scroll was burned, God’s word came upon Jeremiah once more. This time, the scroll contains even meatier than before.

We too may have to undergo sufferings for the sake of Christ and thus become partakers in his sufferings. We must endure, sharing in the mistreatment that the prophets and Christ endured.

1 Peter 4:12–13 NIV

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

People may not listen to us, even religious people. They may block their ears to the gospel, and even call us liars. But we have to keep on telling the message of Christ and hope that some may listen.

2 Timothy 4:1–4 NLT

1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

Jeremiah’s Example

1. Jeremiah exemplified Christ. (Proclaimation of the word of God)

2. Endured sufferings and insults.

3. Kept preaching to “deaf” people.

Jeremiah 6:16 NIV

16 This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

Jeremiah started his ministry when he was only a youth, this was his reply to God’s calling,

Jeremiah 1:6–8 NIV

6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” 7 But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

He was only in his 20’s when God called Jeremiah. Even when he faced so many tribulations and difficulties while in ministry, he held on to God’s faithfulness which was Jeremiah 1:8 “8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.”

Jesus also promises the same thing for us who believes in Him,

John 14:18–19 NIV

18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.

Jesus is saying that you are not alone (which is the root word ‘orphan’) and are not just a random creation. In other words, you are just an “ordinary” human being. In these 2 powerful verses spoken by Jesus, we are guarunteed 3 things: Will see Jesus again, Not a fatherless creature, and life and resurrection.

So, as a Christian do not think that you are not special in the eyes of God. In fact, you are extra special. You are extra ordinary!

I am not asking you to be a Jeremiah but know that God’s faithfulness has never changed. You can either cast your faith on the never changing God or the ever changing world. Which one do you choose?

Implication #6: God’s faithfulness is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

How great and how vast is His faithfulness, LORD unto me.