He Is Faithful

When the Lord has spoken His Word to us concerning a matter, we need not worry. This is the underlying truth about our God’s faithfulness. It is one thing to say from rote that He is faithful, yet another to have the firsthand experience of it. In the latter is present everything related to our confidence in Him. At this point belief reaps its true value. He is faithful, since He is able to take it upon Himself to fulfill His Word. He is at work to make ways that He is found truthful by those who believed Him to do the rightful thing for them. Besides, He is such a God who alone knows the ends of righteousness. The Bible gives us an excellent example of His faithfulness. “Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying:” (Ezr. 1:1).

There are two significant things by which God’s faithfulness is manifested. First, He gives His Word and it is by that which He desired for Himself and His people; second, His ability to accomplish the Word. Now, the reason for one to literally see His faithfulness is His Word. Unless we possess His Word there is no way of knowing He is faithful. His faithfulness appears when we believe He is able to accomplish His Word to us. For every matter we face there is His will. Knowing it makes us successful. For this reason, He gives His Word. Sometimes we may have His Word, but for any reason of ours are not sure if it comes true. It is at times like this that the above verse stands helpful. It makes us believe. Belief tells us to lay little emphasis on whether the Lord God fulfills His Word. It reminds us He is all-powerful. Consider the matter He spoke through Jeremiah. It was concerning the release of Israel from captivity, i.e. bringing them back to Judah. They were carried away to Babylon for all their wickedness and rebellion against Him. He gave the Word to bring them back for resuming their normal service to Him after seventy years in captivity. He did it and how!

Daily meditating on God’s Word helps us realize who He is and how He works. What man can stir up the spirit of Cyrus, king of Persia and make him do that which he wants? God did it to keep His Word to His children. When He insists there is not a man that can deny Him. For all creation is under His authority. He does what He pleases with it. This alone is enough to believe He is faithful to the Word spoken to His people. The means to accomplish His Word are endless. All the prophecies spoken by the prophets came to fulfillment, since He made magnificent and unfathomable arrangements. So, if He is with us leading us with His Word so that we continuously stand with Him, we have our life laid out for us. For it has been prophesied, “‘A Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,’ declares the LORD” (Isa. 59:20).

Our single most priority should be to turn to Christ from all forms of sin. It is the only way for us to fully develop into heavenly people. It results in seeing His faithfulness. We become steadfast in faith. One must always seek for opportune times that he or she may see His faithfulness. Living apart from transgression is the way for it. The Lord expects we create an opportune time. And He will give His Word that we should see His faithfulness. For the Scripture reads them “saying, ‘The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon’” (Luke 24:34). God raising Him from the dead is the evidence for His faithfulness to His Word. Belief is the root to all things of God for a Christian. Apart from it there is no strength to experience firsthand the faithfulness of God. Christ has come to Zion, finished all that has been apportioned to Him and is wishing we see God display His faithfulness to us through Him. If one cannot have a single reason to show why this is true, his or her faith is as good as dead.

From the two passages that say a Redeemer will come to Zion and the Lord has really risen there is absolute truth the Lord God has the power or ability to do that which He wants and how He wants. That truth is yet again seen coming to life when the one who persecuted the Lord turned from transgression, “and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God’” (Acts 9:20). Why was Paul so consumed with the truth that Jesus is the Son of God? When Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus, he could not resist His insistence into becoming His servant. Paul was vehemently persecuting the children of God and God intended to change it. Who was able to stop Him? Or what circumstance was able to make Him think otherwise? God who desires to work on behalf of His people does marvelous things. So, there should be no doubt as to whether He is capable of turning things around or changing situations or even stirring us for spectacular things. He is able to show His faithfulness; for He speaks His Word. And Paul who realized it said, “And they were glorifying God because of me” (Gal. 1:24).

Did you ever believe and desire that men should glorify God because of you? If you have not, you should. It is for this reason God wants to show His faithfulness to us wherein we too have peace, joy and confidence. If our living as Christians is not for the glory of God, we have missed the point. When all has been said and done, we live for God. Whether we turn to Him from transgression, seek His face, believe, obtain His Word to see His faithfulness, it is for His glory. Paul had experienced amazing life in Christ Jesus. God’s presence was with Him at all times. There were times when God stirred the hearts of men and changed circumstances to suit him and his service to Him. And it was all for God’s glory. As we strive to set our life as a spiritual service of worship to Him, He will make all things possible for us. Just remember how He used Cyrus, the king of Persia; nothing is farfetched to Him. You will see Him work in your life and then men glorifying Him because of you. This ought to happen on a regular basis and the Spirit in Jude exhorts us saying, “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 1:3).

Not just any faith, but a faith that is appropriated in the faithfulness of God. There are many fallacious faiths being considered and demonstrated of which we ought to be very careful. As long as we are determined to contend earnestly for the faith that is known to deliver the faithfulness of God, which was also seen in Paul and others, we can be confident regarding every matter we face in life. Our road to glorify God is secure. Our salvation bears fruit. In times when true faith is being given little value our earnest striving for it will compel God to maintain His faithfulness toward us. He will keep coming to us with His Words to fulfill them in His time. So, each time we present ourselves before God, let us remember these words of Jesus. “But give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you” (Luke 11:41).

Posted in 2012, Archives.