Focus Verse:

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” (I Corinthians 4:2 ESV).

The Faithful God

“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.   

The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; 

but because the LORD loves you, and  because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of [a]bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.  

“Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;  

(Deuteronomy 7:6-9 NKJV)

There is a phrase that we have heard repeatedly in recent months, “These are uncertain times.” People are hesitant, doubtful, insecure, and fearful.

These uncertain times call for a certain God!  He is…

  • All powerful
  • All knowing
  • All present
  • Unlimited
  • Unchanging

These are just a few of the characteristics of God. When you begin to think about the faithfulness of God, it is truly astounding.

You and I might miss a day, but not our God!  
You or I might forget, but not our God!  
You or I might neglect, but not our God!  
You or I might overlook, but not our God!  

God will be found faithful!

God establishes His faithfulness in the beginning – in the Garden of Eden as He came looking for Adam and Eve after they had sinned.  He wants to establish love, trust, and confidence. 

Though you may not be available.  
Though you may have failed.  
Though your allegiance may have changed.
Though your love may be redirected.   

God says – none of that will not affect My faithfulness!

I will search for you.  
I will still call for you.  
I will still be here for you.  
I will never forsake you.  

 

Life Reflection:

Our moments of failure and unfaithfulness do not affect the faithfulness of God. Reflect on the faithfulness of God in your life and give Him praise!

Isaiah 49:7 (NIV)

“This is what the LORD says— the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel— to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and stand up, princes will see and bow down, because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” 

Faithfulness says:

  • I will keep my word.
  • I will not fail you.
  • I won’t quit on you.

The faithfulness of God is foundational to our faith.  

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

 

Life Reflection:

“I believe He was there.  I believe He is there.  I believe He always will be there.  He is faithful!”  Repeat these words until you can say them without anxiety, discouragement, or doubt creeping into your mind.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)  

“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 

1 Corinthians 1:9 (AMP)

“O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Lord? Your faithfulness surrounds You [as an intrinsic, unchangeable part of Your very being].”

If your car starts once every 3 tries, is it reliable?   
If your paper boy skips your house once a week, is he trustworthy? 
If your water heater provides an icy cold shower every now and then, is it dependable? 
If you miss a couple of loan payment every year, does your bank say 10 out of 12 is not bad? 

The answer to these questions is, of course,  no. 

Life Reflection:

We know what it means to be faithful, dependable, trustworthy.  Faithfulness is a characteristic that we highly value in our relationships. 

What actions can you take today to apply what you have learned about faithfulness to build your marriage, keep a promise or develop trust with someone? 

 

 What Does It Mean to Be Faithful?

According to Webster’s dictionary, the word faithful means “maintaining allegiance to someone or something; being constant or loyal.”  Synonyms of the word “faithful” include:

  • Steadfastness
  • Dedicated
  • Reliable
  • Worthy of confidence

The Old Testament word for faithful is “Aw-man.”  It is derived from the Hebrew root word meaning to trust a person or to believe a statement.  The resulting meaning is trustworthy, dependable, loyal.

The New Testament word for faithful is “pis-tos” with the same fundamental meaning as the Old Testament.

Deuteronomy 7:9

“Therefore know that the Lord your God; He is God, the faithful God.”  

Moses made this statement to a new generation of Israelites before they entered Canaan – the Promised Land.  It was a truth they would need to know as they faced the enemy in pursuit of their promise. In every generation it must be proclaimed, God is faithful!

1 Thessalonians 5:24 EXB

“The One who calls you is ·trustworthy [faithful], and he will ·do this [make this happen].”

Paul included these words in his letter to Christians in Thessalonica who were being persecuted for their faith.  It was a reminder to the church that God’s promises are guaranteed.  In other words, if God said it, He will do it!

Life Reflection:

A.W. Tozer said, “God being who He is cannot cease to be what He is, and being what He is He cannot act out of character with Himself. He is at once faithful and immutable, so all His words and acts must be and remain faithful.”  How does this knowledge change the way you view your situation today? 

 

5 Characteristics of God’s Faithfulness

  1. God’s Faithfulness is Great. Lamentations 3:23 NIV, “They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” 
  2. God’s Faithfulness is Established. Psalm 89:2 NIV, “I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
  3. God’s Faithfulness is Unfailing. Psalm 89:33 AMP, “Nevertheless, I will not break off My lovingkindness from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail.”  2 Timothy 2:13 NIV, “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”
  4. God’s Faithfulness is Infinite. Psalm 36:5 NLT, “Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.”
  5. God’s Faithfulness is Everlasting. Psalm 119:90 EXB, “Your ·loyalty [faithfulness; truth] will go on and on; you ·made [established] the earth, and it ·still stands [endures].”

Life Reflection:

Which characteristic of God’s faithfulness resonates with you most today?  

 

God is Faithful When We Can’t See Him

Job 23:8-10 (NKJV)

“Look, I go forward, but He is not there,  And backward, but I cannot perceive  Him; 9  When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him;  When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. 10  But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” 

Job was saying, “I can’t see Him, but I know He sees me!”

David wrote, “Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the LORD and do good;  Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness” (Psalm 37:3 AMP).

When your world is chaotic, feed on the faithfulness of God!  Feeding on His faithfulness means to trust Him for the outcome.  God is working!

Thomas Chisholm understood this concept when he wrote the hymn,

Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed thy hand has provided
Great is thy faithfulness Lord unto me 

Lamentations 3:22-26 (AMP), “It is because of the LORD’S lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed,  Because His [tender] compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul; “Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.” The LORD is good to those who wait  [confidently] for Him, To those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word]. It is good that one waits quietly For the salvation of the LORD.” 

 

Life Reflection:

Read Lamentations 3:22-26.  What do we learn about God when we wait on Him to answer our prayers?

  

God is Faithful Even When We are Unfaithful

1 John 1:9 (AMP), “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].”

God is Faithful When We are Tested 

1 Corinthians 10:13 (AMP), “No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].” 

When we have nothing left but God, we discover God is enough!

Carol Cymbala, director of the Grammy award winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, wrote a song more than 20 years ago when her daughter Chrissy was away from the Lord.  When Carol’s heart was broken into a million pieces, the Lord filled her with the promise of His faithfulness in a song.

In my moments of fear 
Through every pain every tear
There’s a God who’s been faithful to me   

When my strength was all gone 
When my heart had no song 
Still in love He’s proved faithful to me 

Every word He’s promised is true 
What I thought was impossible 
I’ve seen my God do

He’s been faithful, faithful to me 
Looking back He’s love and mercy I see 
Though in my heart I have questioned 
And failed to believe 
He’s been faithful, faithful to me

When my heart looked away 
The many times I could not pray 
Still my God was faithful to me   

The days are spent so selfishly 
Reaching out for what pleased me 
Even then God was faithful to me
Every time I come back to Him 
He is waiting for open arms 
And I see once again

He’s been faithful 
Faithful to me 
Looking back He’s love and mercy I see 
Though in my heart I have questioned 
Even failed to believe 
Yet He’s been faithful, faithful to me 

Life Response:

How should we respond to the faithfulness of God?

  • God’s faithfulness should be pleaded in prayer. Psalm 143:1 NIV, “LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief.”
  • God’s faithfulness should be proclaimed. Psalm 40:10 NIV, “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.”
  • Add your own response…

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