- “Dieu Ta fidelete”
- “Gross ist DeineTreu”
- “Grande e la Fede in Te”
- “ Great is Thy Faithfulness”
The words of this great hymn resound all over the world in different languages. Christians everywhere rejoice in this wonderful lesson they have learned about God and His faithfulness. We know that God is not only sovereign, not only wise and not only good and loving. He is faithful! What does this mean? In what way is God faithful? How does His faithfulness affect your life and ministry?
God is faithful to His people.
The dictionary defines the word “faithful” as “being trustworthy”. A faithful person is a person in whom you can put your trust. God is trustworthy. You can trust Him; you can put your confidence in Him at all times. He will never let you down. God is faithful to every one of His people and looks after us at all times. I personally (and many others) can echo the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 37:25: “I have been young and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor his descendants begging bread” He is faithful to us when we are tempted (1 Cor 10:13); when we are weak (2 Thess 3:3) when we suffer (1 Peter 4:19), when we sin (1 John 1:9) and when we need help for the ministry He has given us (1 Thess 5:24) Do you believe this? Do you really trust Him? Do you believe that He will look after you and your needs? Are you willing to take that step which He has laid on your heart? God is faithful! He will never let you down! Trust Him!
God is faithful to His promises.
God is faithful to His Word, the Bible. His promises are trustworthy. He always does what He says and He always keeps the promises He has made in His Word. Not only will He not deny Himself, He cannot deny Himself.
- “If we are faithless He remains faithful. He cannot deny Himself” (2 Tim 2:13) – that’s a promise.
- “Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom 10:13). – that’s a promise.
- “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19). – that’s a promise
There are also special times when God gives individual Christians a specific promise from His Word to do something (e.g 1Thess 5:24) to receive something (e.g.Psalm 34:10) or to be something (e.g Joshua 1:9). And He always keeps it!
We live on the basis of God’s promises; we pray on the basis of God’s promises; and we serve on the basis of God’s promises. His faithfulness and promises bring us blessing but, most of all, they bring glory and praise to God Himself. “And the Heavens will praise Your wonders O Lord; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the saints” (Psalm 89:5).
God is faithful to His plans and purposes.
God can never be defeated, distracted or disappointed. What He plans He accomplishes. What He starts He finishes. He never gives up. According to Ephesians 1:11 He “works all things according to the counsel of His will”. He knows and “declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10) . He knows what He is going to do and He does it. And we can see this faithfulness vividly exemplified in the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Who could say “I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4).
God wants us to be faithful.
God wants us to be faithful like Him. Therefore we should be trustworthy in our relationships with people, we should always keep our promises, and we should be faithful and diligent as we serve God in His plan. And one day we will hear His commendation “Well done good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matt25:23).
Lesson 5 – God will always be faithful to you, to the promises He has given you and He will enable you to do what He has called you to do as part of His plan. Trust Him for all you need.
