His Faithfulness
Hi there, friends! As believers, we recognize the need for faith. We realize that “without faith, it is impossible to please Him (Heb. 11:6).” We’re aware that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17).” But have you ever thought about the fact that our faith would be utterly vain and meaningless if it were not for the faithfulness of the One we trust?
The object of faith determines its value. I’ve seen pictures of a single log bridge over a jungle canyon. I might declare that I have complete faith in that log, but if the log is rotten, then my confidence does me no good—I’ll still fall into the ravine below. It’s not enough to simply have faith—our trust must rest in Someone trustworthy.
What makes the Lord so worthy of our faith and confidence? The fact that He is unchangingly faithful. He is constant, true to His promises, completely truthful.
He is Faithful to His Promises
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began (Titus 1:2). For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us (2 Corinthians 1:19-20).
God cannot lie. What He says, He will do. He is completely faithful to His word. We never know what a day may bring forth, and this can make our promises as humans unreliable. But what God says in His word is always, absolutely true. You can safely put your expectation in God; you can cry to Him, “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope!” (Psalm 119:49.)
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him (Psalm 62:5). My desire is to be like Abraham, who “staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God: And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform (Romans 4:20-21).” Abraham’s persuasion can be ours as well!
He is Faithful to Enable Us to Fulfill His Calling
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it (1 Thess. 5:24). There was a time in my life where I became very much aware of the high calling to follow Christ, yet equally aware of my weakness and inability to do so. I became afraid and discouraged because I was looking at myself. However, as I sought the Lord and His word, He showed me that He is faithful, and what He calls me to do, He’ll enable me to do.
Just as salvation is His work, so sanctification is also His work. Of course, it requires our yielding and obedience to Him. But we can’t keep ourselves from falling. We can’t keep ourselves faithful to Him. He is able, however! What He began at salvation, He will continue to perform in us (Philippians 1:6).
Don’t let Satan discourage you from following the Lord. It’s true you cannot live victoriously. But Christ in you can. He is faithful, and He can live His faithful live through you if you’ll yield yourself to Him and obey.
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you and keep you from evil (2 Thess. 3:3).
He is Faithful to Forgive Us
Often, when we fail or fall, it’s easy to wallow in discouragement. And we should truly sorrow for sin; it’s not anything to be taken lightly. But true repentance is not despairing. Rather, true repentance causes us to turn to the Lord for forgiveness and strength to do right in the future. Because of Christ’s shed blood, God can immediately forgive us when we turn to Him and confess our sin. In fact, He has bound Himself by His word to do so!
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). When you’ve sinned, don’t wait—come immediately to Christ for forgiveness. Don’t let the enemy get an advantage over you through despair. Because Christ has already paid for our sins, God’s justice is satisfied and His forgiveness is free.
He is Faithful When We Are Not
Our feelings are fickle and ever-changing. Especially for us ladies, it can be a real battle not to trust them. But God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our feelings, or on our own faithfulness. He is true regardless.
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself (2 Timothy 2:13). Some days our faith is strong; on other days, we may be attacked by doubts. Yet God is faithful on both days! His truth remains the same. What a safe Refuge; what a wonderful Anchor for our souls!
The glory of God’s faithfulness is that no sin of ours
has ever made Him unfaithful.
Charles H. Spurgeon
This is by no means a comprehensive study of God’s faithfulness; I would encourage you to spend time in His word, studying these truths for yourself. His constancy towards us will inspire in you the desire to be faithful to Him.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised). Hebrews 10:23.
