When we think about faithfulness, what traits come to mind?
Someone who is loyal, present, not deceitful, doesn’t lie, keeps your confidence, doesn’t let you down, keeps their word, keeps the marriage covenant… we could go on.
Faithfulness is attractive in a person but the reality and truth are, nobody is truly and completely faithful, nor has anyone the ability to be completely faithful, except God.
With God, faithfulness isn’t just a guarantee; it’s literally, along with a list of other attributes, who He is. He is faithful. He is the ultimate measure of and standard for faithfulness.
There are many verses that speak of God’s faithfulness, one is Lamentations 3:21-24 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
What brilliant verses of hope, what an amazing truth GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS!
It is easy to read these verses and not know the preceding verses or the context in which they were written. But the title of the book helps with the context: Lamentations – the passionate expression of grief or sorrow; weeping.
Jeremiah, who is thought to have written this book, was known as the weeping prophet because of his tears in his ministry. In chapters, 3:1-18 Jeremiah paints a very painful and hopeless personal picture. Babylon had invaded Israel, Jerusalem was destroyed, and the people were taken captive; this caused Jeremiah much pain as he had been calling for the people to repent and turn to God, but they hadn’t, and Babylon invaded.
Yet, even with the inner turmoil, he looks to the foundation that holds him in place and keeps him centred: the love and faithfulness of God. He declares, despite the current situation, despite his current feelings, despite where he is right now, three simple and trustworthy words: GOD IS FAITHFUL!
To be convinced of His faithfulness, we need to understand His greatness. One point of theology that distinguishes God’s faithfulness is the fact that He is totally truthful and all-powerful.
He cannot lie, and He cannot be untrue. He is the God of truth and always speaks the truth. Now couple His truthfulness with His all-powerful nature. The Bible teaches that He is all-powerful, so what He says, He has the power to carry out. God has unlimited power to achieve everything and anything He says.
This is the foundation His faithfulness is built upon. His absolute truthfulness and His unlimited power to carry it out. This is why we can confidently say God keeps all His promises! So be encouraged today and confident in Him. God could never commit Himself to do something of which He would eventually prove incapable. Philippians 1:6 says, and I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father, we thank You today for your unending, enduring, unfailing faithfulness to us. We thank You that we can trust in You at all times and in all seasons. We thank You that when You promise something, it happens, always, because You are true and You are all-powerful. We submit to Your leading and trust You. Amen.