The Only Faithful One
If you do a little digging, you’ll find plenty of articles that ask the question, “Is anyone faithful anymore?” Usually, they refer to marriage, but the question is applicable to almost any sphere of life. When I talk to members of my congregation who work in business, for example, they often tell me of workers who appear to be very committed to the team and the mission at the beginning, but then, all of a sudden, they’re nowhere to be found. Loyalty to the company or the task at hand frequently dissipates very, very quickly.
It’s rare to find people known for steady devotion and consistency, who let their yes be yes and their no be no (Matthew 5:37). And when we do find someone who makes a promise and keeps it, even when it’s difficult, it’s quite striking.
The only perfect standard of faithfulness that we have—of total loyalty and of complete commitment to keeping a promise—is God. The psalmists continually reflect upon it. As high as you can see, Psalm 36 tells us, that is how far God’s faithfulness stretches. There are no ends to which He will not go to remain loyal to His people; there is nothing that will prevent Him keeping His word. Moses continually reminded the people of Israel of God’s faithfulness: “Know … that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant” (Deuteronomy 7:9). James, too, describes God’s faithfulness by saying that in Him “there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17). God’s faithfulness is one aspect of the absolute perfection of His character. Given that every believer has staked their eternal future on Him keeping His word, this is very good news!
Other people, as well as the gods of your own creation, will inevitably let you down—be it through their flaws or their frailty. The only promise that can utterly be relied upon is that of the eternal, righteous God, who has revealed Himself in creation and who has confirmed His truthfulness in the person of His Son. He is 100-percent reliable all of the time, for all of eternity—including for all that you are facing today.
How is God calling me to think differently?
How is God reordering my heart’s affections — what I love?
What is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?
How Precious Is Your Steadfast Love
To the choirmaster. Of David, the xservant of the Lord.
1Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in his heart;1
ythere is no fear of God
before his eyes.
2zFor he flatters himself in his own eyes
that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3The words of his mouth are atrouble and deceit;
bhe has ceased to act wisely and do good.
4He cplots dtrouble while on his bed;
he sets himself in ea way that is not good;
fhe does not reject evil.
5Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
6gYour righteousness is like the mountains of God;
hyour judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you isave, O Lord.
7jHow precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge kin the shadow of your wings.
8They feast on lthe abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from mthe river of nyour delights.
9For with you is othe fountain of life;
pin your light do we see light.
10Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who qknow you,
and your righteousness to rthe upright of heart!
11Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12There sthe evildoers lie fallen;
they are thrust down, tunable to rise.
Devotional material is taken from the Truth For Life daily devotionals by Alistair Begg, published by The Good Book Company, thegoodbook.com. Used by Truth For Life with permission. Copyright © 2021, 2022, The Good Book Company.
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