The Faithfulness of God

I. Oxygen for the Soul.

A. WE ALL DEPEND ON SOMETHING OR SOMEONE TO HOLD US UP INSIDE.

B. WHEN THAT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE COMES THROUGH FOR US WE EXPERIENCE PEACE, SATISFACTION AND OPTIMISM ABOUT THE FUTURE

C. WHEN THEY FAIL WE EXPERIENCE ANXIETY, DISSATISFACTION AND DESPAIR.  

II. Defining Faithfulness

Dictionary: Faithfulness is steadfast affection and allegiance. Someone who is loyal, dependable, and firm in adhering to promises or observing duty.  

All of God’s acts are constant with all of his attributes. No attribute contradicts any other, no matter what. God being who he is cannot cease to be what he is. (A.W. Tozer)

III. How does God reveal his Faithfulness?  

1. Through Creation

Psalm 145:13-16  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.][a]

14 The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. 16 You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

2. Through his people

Isaiah 25:10-11 For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain, and Moab shall be trampled down in his place, as straw is trampled down in a dunghill. And he will spread out his hands in the midst of it as a swimmer spreads his hands out to swim, but the Lord will lay low his pompous pride together with the skill[b] of his hands.

3. Through his Son

Isaiah 11:5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

4. Through how he shapes our lives

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted    and saves the crushed in spirit.

God Demonstrates his Faithfulness

God demonstrates his faithfulness when we are weak.  

2 Cor. 12:7-9 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

God reveals his faithfulness when we are tempted.

God longs to show his faithfulness to us when we sin. Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.

God wants to show us his faithfulness even when we utterly fail.  

2 Timothy 2:11-13 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us;

13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.

IV. God’s Faithfulness:

(1) God is faithful in His CHARACTER

Exo 34:6 “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”

Deut. 32:4 “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.”

God is 100% reliable, 100% of the time.

He does not fail, forget, falter, change, or disappoint.

He does not compromise, He does not contradict. He is immutable.

(2) God is faithful in His WORD

Deut. 7:9 “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations…”

It is a covenant; a promise made on God’s side. It is not a contract, which ceases to be binding when one party defaults.

In God’s Word, we have His promise. And it is an everlasting promise.

Num 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

He says what He means and means what He says and therefore does everything He says He will do. It is God’s faithfulness that gives us HOPE.

(3) God is faithful to His PEOPLE

Josh 21:45 Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; everyone was fulfilled.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

V. How do we respond to God’s Faithfulness?

1. Put your past behind You.

I John 1:9 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. Bring you present problems, pain, and failures to Jesus today.

Matthew 11:28-30 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

3. Place Your Hope for the Future in the one who will never let you down.

Lam. 3:21-24  But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;[a] his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness. 24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.”

4. Tell someone each day how God has been faithful to you.

Psalm 71:14-16 But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more 15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. 16 With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

Psalm 89:1-2 I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. 2 For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever;   in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.

Psalm 95:1-3 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! 3 For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

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