God’s Character Through the Alphabet
In our series, we have worshipped God because He is above all. He is above and beyond any limitations such as our alphabet. We praise Him because He is the bountiful creator of every good and perfect gift. We are in awe of His delight in us, as well as His eternal nature that, frankly, just blows our minds.
Today we focus on His faithfulness that transcends time and our finite human understanding.
What Is Faithfulness?
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary gives us four options for defining the word faithful. Which of them resonates with you the most?
- steadfast in affection or allegiance
- firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty
- given with strong assurance
- true to the facts, to a standard, or to an original
Human Faithfulness Leaves Us Wanting
I wonder if the one we pick is dearer to us than others because we have often experienced people’s unfaithfulness in our lives. When we get backstabbed by someone dear to us, rejected by an unfaithful spouse, or cheated out of a promise made and then forgotten, we begin to have trouble comprehending God’s faithful character.
It’s one thing to make a promise and entirely another to keep it. Many people make promises they fully intend to keep. Yet, in the end, some can keep the promise, and others find they are unable. And then there are those who make promises with no intention to keep them.
If you’re like me, you have been unfaithful to someone yourself. Or even unfaithful to God in ignoring His will or failing to stand for Him in a crowd.
Therein is our human paradigm for faithfulness. We have experienced each of those scenarios many times over the years. Possibly to the point that we struggle to put our trust in God.
God's Faithfulness Leaves Us Satisfied
God’s consistency in making and keeping every promise He’s made is the primary way humans know intellectually and experientially God’s faithfulness. Knowing the promises of God and His fulfillment in Scripture, as well as being willing to recognize God’s steadfastness in our own lives builds our credence in this amazing attribute of God.
As a result of our own disappointments in relationships, we may struggle to be completely confident in God’s trustworthiness. I pray this quick study encourages and builds you up in this area of your faith.
God is Trustworthy
The Original Promise-Keeper
In Moses’ final instructions to the Israelite people, he tells us plainly that God is faithful to keep His promises.
Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments;Deuteronomy 7:9
As you read that passage, don’t think about a literal 1000 generations. The term conveys an infinitely large number. God will keep His covenant (promise) and lovingkindness (mercy, faithful love) to ALL those who love Him and keep His commandments. It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it?
Hundreds of years later, Paul wrote to Pastor Titus about God’s trustworthiness.
in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised  long ages ago, but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our SaviorTitus 1:2-3
Promises Fulfilled
The Seed, The Lamb, The King
When we look back at the promise God made to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15) and subsequent covenants He made with Noah, Abraham, the entire Jewish nation through Moses, and David, we can see these commitments pointing to the cross, the resurrection, and the ultimate reign of Christ on David’s throne for eternity in the New Jerusalem.
In the gospels, we see the Messiah that Isaiah prophesied. Immanuel -- God with us. Living like us. Struggling like us. Yet without sin.
He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.Isaiah 53:3-5 (NLT)
As we move toward Easter in this Lenten season, we consider how Jesus became the Lamb of God that took away the sin of the World. He condescended to come to earth from the glory of Heaven, to seek and to save the lost in obedience to the Father. He ultimately carried out exactly what God had said through the prophet.
Praise God for Christ’s faithfulness on the cross! Praise God for the power of the resurrection, which reminds us that there are still promises to be consummated at the end of this age.
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.Revelation 19:11
In other passages, Jesus Christ is identified as “faithful high priest,” “the faithful Son”, and “the faithful witness” – the fulfillment of many of God’s promises. Jesus’ character is one of obedience and loyalty that we should emulate.
The Son - The Promise Keeper
Jesus also made promises that He has kept. Perhaps the dearest is His promise to send one to walk alongside us. In John’s gospel, he quotes Jesus four different times talking about sending a comforter or advocate. In Matthew 28:20 He promised the disciples that He would be with them to the end of the age.
“God with us” kept His commitment by sending the Holy Spirit to continue His work within all who trust Christ for salvation.
Results Of God’s Faithfulness
If you are in Christ, you know God’s faithfulness. Perhaps you have not recognized all that His steadfast trustworthiness has brought you. Consider these passages and praise Him for the impact of His faithfulness in giving you life abundantly.
Our Completed Salvation
I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.1 Corinthians 1:4-9
Protection From Evil
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.1 Corinthians 10:13
Confidence
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;Hebrews 10:23
May this brief study of God’s faithfulness encourage you to stand stronger and walk more diligently in a way that points to His loyalty and devotion to His people. If you'd like some more passages to study for this topic, you can request them by completing the contact form below.
To the Faithful God be the glory!
Worship
Oh, faithful Father! Your book is full of passages that tell us you are faithful directly and the experiences of those gone before testifying to your faithfulness. Praise you, Lord for your documented faithfulness and the ways I have experienced your faithfulness personally.
I praise you that I can await the soon-coming king with confidence based on your unfailing character.
It is really unfathomable that after we experience your faithfulness first-hand and after we hear powerful testimonies of your steadfastness, we would be disloyal. Forgive us for our love of the flesh - our pride - that results in our acting and speaking in faithless ways toward you.
Teach me to be totally trustworthy through your mighty power so that I will point others to your perfect faithfulness.
In the name of Christ who is Faithful and True, Amen!
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