God’s Great Faithfulness

   He who finds a faithful person also finds a trustworthy one. But can we still find many faithful people in this treacherous generation? The vanishing presence of fidelity in our time is undeniably evident in many marriages, homes, friendships, secular and religious organizations.

   It is sadly true today that because of unfaithfulness, many marriages have been adulterated and led to a bitter ruin; homes have been broken and their family members are being traumatized; friendships have been destroyed and the once treasured friends are being reviled; secular and religious groups have been divided and their members are left confused and alienated. Above all, the required faithfulness of man to God has been overlooked, and as a result, he is led to sinful lifestyle and hopelessness. What a heart-breaking consequence of unfaithfulness. Faithfulness is truly needed in our evil-stricken society.

   Infidelity was first found with the devil when he rose up against God. Surely, they that follow his steps will do the same evil deed. On the other hand, God’s faithfulness is so great and has been manifested from generation to generation. In Psalm 119:90, it is written, Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. (KJV) This passage from the Bible reminds us of the undeniable faithfulness of God as He unfailingly sustains the needs of His creations. Though man becomes unfaithful to God, still, He remains faithful to him.

  Lamentations 3:1-18     

   Lamentations is an interesting book depicting a picture of the lamentable situation of the Jews after the downfall of Judah in the hands of their enemies. Obviously, their own sins led them to humiliating captivity. Through rhythmical presentation, we could feel the depth of their sufferings. Hope was given up and peace was far from them. Lamentations 3:17-18 say, And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: (KJV) What a sad picture of unfaithful people in their affliction. Unfaithfulness to God brings forth misery.                  

-For our learning

   In times of affliction, God wants us to pay close attention to His dealings, to listen diligently and to learn from His ways so we may not go astray and end up sorrowful. We must keep in mind that it is not God’s desire to destroy us in times of affliction, but to help us and show us His unquestionable faithfulness.

   In Psalm 119:75, it is written, I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. (KJV) Truly, God’s great faithfulness is being manifested even in times of affliction. There is always a tendency for a professing believer to complain, murmur and become unfaithful to God when he goes through a life-squeezing suffering, but on God’s part, He is always there, ever faithful to His children.

    Lamentations 3:19-23

      No matter what situation we are in, we must be mindful of God. Being mindful of Him in our darkest night will bring light to our mind and hope to our soul. In Lamentations 3:19-22, it is written, Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (KJV) What a realization of God’s forgotten mercies and overlooked compassions. May we not forget God’s sustaining grace which keeps us alive and hopeful even in times of dangers and uncertainties.

   Love the Lord and be faithful to Him, and surely, He will preserve you. The Bible says in Psalm 31:23, O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. (KJV)        

-God’s faithfulness should be

 appreciated

   God’s faithfulness is so great and should be appreciated by those who are in Christ. Telling the whole world about the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for us at Calvary is an excellent way of expressing our appreciation to God. Another way of showing our appreciation is by being faithful in supporting our Local Church through our attendance, prayers, giving and meaningful involvement in mission-related tasks.  

  The writer of Lamentations was very much aware and truly appreciative of God’s great faithfulness. His deep appreciation was well-expressed in his descriptive and graceful writing. In Lamentations 3:23, he wrote, They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (KJV) As we sing the song “Great is Thy Faithfulness”, may we not only sing it through our lips, but from our hearts. We must also keep in mind that the more we joyfully serve the Lord Jesus Christ, the more impact the song would have on the lives of the hearers.  

-God’s faithfulness should be

 proclaimed

   Every Christian should proclaim the faithfulness of God. Through our songs and our good testimonies, such great faithfulness could be made known to all generations. In Psalm 89:1, it is written, I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. (KJV)

   Trials and afflictions should not hinder our mouths from proclaiming God’s faithfulness. Believers must be consistent in telling others the Word of God so they may not live in spiritual ignorance but realize the goodness of the Lord upon their lives.         

   Are we experiencing hardships in our lives and are about to complain to God?  In Lamentations 3:39-40, it is written, Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD. (KJV) These verses remind unfaithful people of their shameful murmurings against the ever faithful God. Instead of complaining, they must search and try their ways, then turn to God and keep right with Him. In I John 1:8-9, it is written, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)

   God is ever faithful to us. In times of afflictions, temptations and even in our humiliating failures, He is always faithful to lift us up. As we rejoice together and give thanks to Him for reaching a significant milestone of success today, may the Lord Jesus Christ find our hearts true to Him till He comes.

  What a faithful God and Saviour we have! For all those great things He has done for us, the Lord is worthy to be praised.