Through different seasons of my
life I increase my understanding of and appreciation for different components
of God. When I didn’t have a consistent
father figure in my life, I needed God as a father to the fatherless (Psalm 68:5). In middle school and high school
my pastor constantly reminded me that God is perfect (2 Samuel 22:31) and so
being made in his likeness I strove for excellence in EVERYTHING I did. Then in college I learned to rest in the
sufficiency of Christ, that no achievement of mine could ever make me worthy of
the sacrifice God already made for my salvation (Philippians 3:3-9). The God of wisdom (Proverbs 2:6), the God of
forgiveness and mercy (Ephesians 2:4-6), the God of compassion (Psalm 145:9),
there are many qualities and characteristics that contribute to the composition
of who God is. During this season of my
life, my heart is focused on God’s faithfulness.
The word faithful is an adjective
with many definitions. Most of which,
are relevant to God. One definition is “true to one’s word, promises, vows, etc.” The Bible is God’s word and it is filled with
page after page of promises from God.
One of these most fundamental promises is that God will provide for our
needs. Scripture says:
“And my God will supply every need
of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
“The young lions suffer want and
hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:10
I have seen God prove time and time
again that he is faithful to provide for my needs, before I even know
what they are. When I was young kid, in
a single income, single parent household this was fulfilled by God providing
additional income opportunities for my mom.
God also provided people from our church family and community to come
along side us and invest in me and my brother on a regular basis. Later, God provided me with an incredible
husband who possesses traits I didn’t even know I would need my husband to
have. In my current season of life, God
continues to provide relationships with people who are ready and willing to
mentor me and push me to grow.
God is calling me to pursue a
God-sized vision and dream. As I take
small steps of obedience, he shows me over and over that he is faithful to
provide for my needs, long before I even know what they are. In conjunction with the pursuit of this vision,
I have started a Faith Jar. Inside the
jar I have several mementos to remind of the ways God is faithfully providing
for the needs of the vision. The
mementos include a business card, notes of ideas jotted down, a paperclip, and
several mustard seeds. As I observe
God’s faithfulness, time and time again- my own faith grows. Someday soon, I’ll need a bigger Faith Jar.
:)
Another definition of faithful is, “steady in
allegiance or affection; loyal; constant.” In chapter 136 of the book of Psalms, God’s
word tells us that “his steadfast love endures forever.” This chapter doesn’t say it once or
twice. This chapter reassures us of
God’s unconditional love in every single verse, TWENTY-SIX TIMES! And that’s just one chapter of the Bible.
God’s love for me never changes.
It is always constant, no matter how many times I screw up. This is hard
to believe for a lot of people, but I am not one of them. Thanks to my mom and a few other people, I am
pretty accustomed to receiving unconditional love. But if I’m being completely honest, I have a
hard time grasping that God’s unconditional love for me is not unique. God has the exact same love for you.
When
I was a teenager, I convinced my mom and step-dad to let one of my friends come
live with us. When I asked for this, I
was basically picturing a long, extended sleepover where my friend was just “my
guest”. But to them, they gained a daughter. I was shocked and even a little jealous as
they treated her the exact same way they treated me. She got a cell phone, and Christmas presents,
and my mom bent over backwards to give my friend things she thought were
important. I didn’t realize how much
they did for me, until I saw them doing it for somebody else. Somebody, who really didn’t even “deserve” it
in my teenager logic. I find myself
falling into this same pattern as an adult in my relationship with my heavenly
father. Of course he loves me unconditionally, he’s my dad. Yet somehow, in my mind I deserve this love
and some others do not, but this is not what scripture says. God loves each and every one of you the same
way he loves me. No, you didn’t do
anything to deserve this
unconditional love, but the truth is- neither did I. This is simply a part of God’s faithfulness.
“So now I am giving
you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you
should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world
that you are my disciples.”
John 13:34-35
Here is the full definition of
faithful:
1. strict or thorough in the
performance of duty: a faithful worker.
2. true to one's word, promises, vows, etc.
3. steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends.
4. reliable, trusted, or believed.
5. adhering or true to fact, a standard,
or an original; accurate: a faithful
account; a faithful copy.
6. Obsolete. full of faith; believing.
It is amazing to me that these
definitions can seem so different but all point back to one component of God’s
character. As I read through these six
definitions I think of specific times in my life when God has proven that each
definition is applicable. Right now, I’m
clinging to his promises knowing that he is true to his word and reliable. Every time I come before him prayer I am
humbled and encouraged by how much he believes in me. I am grateful that no matter how much
everything else around me may look like turmoil, God is constant. God overwhelms me time and time again with
his faithfulness.
Lord,
You Are Faithful
By : L. A. Keim
By : L. A. Keim
Lord, you are faithful,
even when I fail,
your words still hold true
and your promises prevail.
even when I fail,
your words still hold true
and your promises prevail.
Lord, you are faithful,
it’s intrinsic to who you are,
you know every hair on my head
and the name of every star.
it’s intrinsic to who you are,
you know every hair on my head
and the name of every star.
Lord, you are faithful,
I know this to be true,
the proof is in my life
and the things you’ve brought me through.
I know this to be true,
the proof is in my life
and the things you’ve brought me through.
Lord, you are faithful.
each and every day,
when the obstacles of life look like mountains
you show me the way.
each and every day,
when the obstacles of life look like mountains
you show me the way.
Lord, you are faithful,
your love never changes,
though I allow my circumstances
to cause emotional ranges.
your love never changes,
though I allow my circumstances
to cause emotional ranges.
Lord, you are faithful,
in my highs and in my lows,
I steadily seek after you
and pray that my faith grows.
in my highs and in my lows,
I steadily seek after you
and pray that my faith grows.
Lord, you are faithful,
even when I’m not,
through the blood of your son,
my righteousness was bought.
even when I’m not,
through the blood of your son,
my righteousness was bought.
Lord, you are faithful,
unconditionally you love me,
your forgiveness and your mercy
set me and others free.
unconditionally you love me,
your forgiveness and your mercy
set me and others free.
Lord you are faithful.
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