One of the divine attributes that very often encourages me is the faithfulness of God. In the midst of various up’s and down’s in life this reality revives my heart and challenges to keep going. God is faithful in His words and actions. He never fails us, nor makes a mistake. His plan is perfect and He will fulfill it, even if we fail to fully comprehend it in the beginning. It is His faithfulness that sustains us.
Let us consider the faithfulness of God and see how it applies in our life.
The uniqueness of God’s Faithfulness
i. Established. Psalm 89:2b.
“Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens.” God’s faithfulness is fixed and unchanging. It is part of His distinctive characteristics. It is His very nature. Even when we fail to believe Him or honour Him He remains faithful. Human actions can not change divine characteristics. Cf. 2Timothy 2:13. For God to act in unfaithfulness is against His nature, that is to deny Himself. Such a condition is impossible! He is true and trust worthy God. We can depend upon His word. That is part of His essential goodness.
ii. Eternal Psalm 119:9
“Your faithfulness endures to all generations.” Cf. Psalm 89:1
God’s faithfulness is not just towards one generation or for a season. He has been faithful to the forefathers, He is still faithful to the present generation, and He will be the same faithful God for ever. The earth and heavens may pass away yet He remains truthful in His plan and purposes.
iii. Infinite Psalm 89:8
“Your faithfulness also surrounds You.” Cf. Psalm 36:5:-“Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.”
God’s faithfulness is immeasurable. There is no limit to His truthfulness. He is absolutely faithful. There is not even an iota of unfaithfulness with the Lord. Yes, “Great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23
iv. Unfailing Psalm 89:30--33
“If his sons forsake My law and do not walk in My judgments, if they break My statues and do not keep My commandments, then I will punish their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless My loving kindness I will not utterly take from him, nor allow My faithfulness to fail.”
In the above scripture portion it is very clear God wants to say that the iniquity of man can never thwart the plan of God. He does keep His word in spite of the response of man. God is not like man to be influenced by the circumstances. He is not temperamental like human being.
He will punish His people for their failure yet He will not fail in His faithfulness to His people. Psalmist goes to state that, “My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.” Psalm 89:34
The above mentioned four features of the faithfulness of God shows the greatness of God as well as our wonderful privilege. We can fully trust God and depend upon His word. Great is His faithfulness.
NTK
