GOD IS FAITHFUL!
(Deuteronomy 7:9)

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations...

What we think, know and understand about the Lord serves as the foundation for our entire relationship with Him. One of the problems with idolatry is the "image" associated with it. Hear the word of the Lord revealed by "image". It is the root word of "imagination". Hence, if someone approaches the Lord or attempts to interact or related to Him, it is imperative that the "image" that one has of Lord be accurate IF the interaction is to be successful. In short, our perception of God must be accurate in order for our relationship with Him to be proper.

Do you remember (or have you ever read about) the Baal prophets and their encounter with Elijah (1 Kings 18:19-39)? In an effort to get "God" to act on their behalf, they went as far as screaming and cutting themselves until blood gushed out of their bodies. Though we are far removed from this event from a "time" standpoint, we are not far from it from the standpoint of actuality (or what's happening currently in our day and time). How we perceive God is vital. It can and will make and/or break us.

Before the children of Israel went into the promised land, they were given several admonishments from the Lord through Moses. They were reminded that there was no God besides the Lord. They were reminded that they were a holy people unto the Lord. They were informed that God didn't choose them because of anything they had done. They were informed that they were a special people, above all on the face of the earth. Because of these things, in Deuteronomy 7:9, the children of Israel are told, Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.... The fact that God is faithful is reinforced. Just as it was important for the children of Israel to be aware of God's faithfulness, so also is it important to us to realize this. Our perception of God's faithfulness can and will alter our course of behavior, based upon what we believe to be true. Today, God wants us to be informed/reminded that HE IS FAITHFUL!

What is faithfulness? There are several definitions associated with the word "faithful" in the Hebrew: 1) to build up or support; 2) to foster as a parent or nurse; 3) to render (or be) firm or faithful; 4) to trust or believe or 5) to be permanent or quiet, true or certain. The applicable definition is dependent upon the setting's usage. In focusing on God and the things that He does, we can easily see which definitions apply to Him. He is committed to building us up and supporting us. He fosters us as a parent and also as a nurse when necessary. He is firm and steadfast -- never changing -- immutable. He is also permanent, true and certain. Another word translated "faithful" (e.g., Psalm 119:75) means "firmness, security and fidelity". It comes from a root word that means "trustworthy". This is the definition of "faithful" that is used throughout the New Testament. The Greek word for faith, as exhibited in First Corinthians 1:9, says God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. As stated, here the word "faithful" means "trustworthy". In other words, "someone worthy of being trusted".

Isn't that beautiful?!?! Isn't it wonderful to know that we can trust and rely on God? Isn't it wonderful to know that He's firm and dependable? Isn't it grand to consider that He's committed to building us up and supporting us? When I consider these things I become excited! Why? It is God's faithfulness that provides us with the assurance that our journey in Him will be successful. Even though we commit ourselves to diligence in Him, it is yet His faithfulness and not our diligence that helps us to be what He has ordained that we be in Him. Through God's faithfulness we are/have been redeemed. Through God's faithfulness, we are protected on a daily basis. Through God's faithfulness, our needs are met. Through God's faithfulness, we are empowered to do the things that He has commanded us to do. It's comforting to know that we're not in this thing by ourselves.

God WILL be there for us. Knowing that God is faithful, let's take a look at some passages of scripture that either highlight this fact further or present issues/promises related to His faithfulness. If we keep these things in mind, there is no reason to fall short in Him:

• INEXAUSTIVE (Psalms 36:5): Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. God's faithfulness is extensive. There is nothing that can't be reached by it. He's not going to run out. This is comforting and encouraging, letting us know that He can and will be there for us -- regardless of the category.
  
  
• IT IS TO BE DECLARED (Psalms 40:10): I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. God's faithfulness is to be declared to His people. This is mentioned several times in scripture -- directly or indirectly. It must be reinforced/repeated because of our forgetful nature.
  
  
• FAITHFULNESS EXTENDED TO THE DISOBEDIENT (Psalms 89:30-33): If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. Faithfulness is inexaustive, but it is not blind. Hebrews 2:2 declares that every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.... This sentiment is being echoed from Psalm 89:30-33. God sees disobedience, deals with it, but yet continues to be faithful in hopes that the person will respond. For believers, this is again dealt with in 2 Timothy 2:13 which says, If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. When we don't believe as we ought, God yet abides faithful -- committed to work in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. Yet another (and the most common) witness of this is found in 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Some only focus on forgiveness, but God seeks to forgive AND to cleanse us. This let's us know that faithfulness tends to thoroughness.
  
  
• FAITHFUL IN TRIBULATION AND AFFLICTIONS (Psalms 119:75): I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. When God has allowed you and I to be afflicted, it is done from a standpoint of faithfulness. What do I mean? Consider 1 Corinthians 10:13 which says, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. God is totally aware of our afflictions and will provide us with everything we need to come through the situation with flying colors. With every affliction also comes a way of escape (obedience). When afflicted, if we are willing and obedient (Isaiah 1:19), we'll reap the desire of the Lord. Another testimony to God's faithfulness in this matter is recorded in Psalm 34:19: Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. The word "delivereth" means "to snatch away". God ABSOLUTELY AND UNDENIABLY WILL NOT allow us to tempted beyond that which we are able. That means that if something has come upon us, God is aware and knows that we're capable, through Him, of dealing with it. Be strong and walk by faith. Victory comes with every test and trial.
  
  
• PROOF OF HIS FAITHFULNESS (Psalms 119:90): Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. There is no greater testimony of God's faithfulness than the creation. Consider Psalm 19:1-6): The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. In the book of Genesis, we see that God created the heavens and the earth. Everything still stands as it did -- all remaining steadfast by the word of God who upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3). Just as God upholds the universe, He can and will also uphold anyone who wants to be upheld. He is committed to upholding the righteous (Psalm 37:17, 24; Psalm 41:12; Psalm 51:12; Psalm 63:8; Psalm 145:14).
  
  
• GOD'S STAND AND THE EXPECTED RESULT (Isaiah 41:10): Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Taking the last one a step further, consider this statement directly from the Lord. God assures of His presence and encourages those who believe on Him to be strong. This means that God's faithfulness should result in some action on our part. Verses 11 and 12 also speak words of comfort to those who are oppressed by wicked people. His faithfulness extends there also. If this is you, fret not (Psalm 37:1).
  
  
• THE LORD'S MERCIES (Lamentations 3:22-23): It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. This is probably the most common statement about God's faithfulness, even recorded as a classic hymn. God's mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. This needs to be known and told. It is because of His mercies that we have never been, nor will we ever be consumed. God's passion AND compassion towards us is great. His compassions fail not and they are new EVERY MORNING. Therefore, we should not fear.
  
  
• SOMEONE'S PRAYING FOR YOU (Romans 8:34): Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Isn't it wonderful to know that Jesus lives?!? Even moreso, He's not idle. Hebrews 7:25 let us know, Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. One of the things that He's doing for us is interceding on our behalf. There is no better intercessor than the Lord Jesus Christ, who is fully aware of our state, our strengths, our weaknesses and where we need to develop. He is determined to see us blessed. He's determined to save us to the uttermost (entirely). He's not satisfied with conversions as many of us are.
  
  
• INVITED AND EQUIPPED (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24): And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. We are saved because of the acts of God in our life. He called us, equipped and and is determined to deliver us unto Himself -- fully sanctified. He didn't just call (save) us and has nothing else in store. He called us and HE WILL DO IT!!!

Let us remember these aspects of God's faithfulness. They are not to be denied. There are many who do not believe this. All we can do is pray for them and teach them about God's faithfulness when the opportunity presents itself.

In closing, I present the same question that Paul did after discussing the determination and awesomely-planned out salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ -- What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? We've got it made, IF we are faithful to Him as well. As the text (Deuteronomy 7:9-10) states, just as He is faithful to bless those who love Him and keep His commandment, He will also repay those that hate him to their faces.

Saints, let us embrace His faithfulness. Until next time, keep the word and be blessed!