What does it mean to be faithful? According to Webster the word “faithful” means reliable, steadfast, dependable. Applied to God, that means once you’ve entered into a covenant with Him, He’s there for you no matter what.  You can count on Him. It means that God’s own character, His own nature won’t allow Him to abandon you.  His own word says it all in 1 Corinthians 1:9 (amplified Bible) “He is faithful, reliable, trustworthy and therefore ever true to His promise and He can be depended on.”

Some people say when they read the Old Testament they see a God of wrath.  I see a God Who is faithful. A quick reading through Exodus alone shows this. The book details God’s mighty hand in delivering His people out of their bondage in Egypt. Time after time, He showed His power and faithfulness through the plagues He sent on Egypt in order to force Pharaoh’s hand; through the parting of the Red Sea; by making water gush from rocks when they were thirsty; by sending quail into their camps when they cried for meat; by having fresh manna literally delivered to their doorstep every morning.  Yet, in spite of all this, the Israelites constantly rebelled against God, constantly wanted to return to slavery rather than go on with Him to the promise land. Yes, there were times when His justice demanded satisfaction, and He acted accordingly.  But the overwhelming characteristic He displayed was His steadfastness; His desire to remain faithful even in the face of a faithless people.

This same theme is found in every other book of the Bible as well, especially in the books of the prophets.  Time after time, He sent his prophets to plead with His people to repent so He wouldn’t have to bring judgment upon them.  Oh how faithful God is! Once you make a covenant with Him, He’s with you all the way.  And if that covenant is broken, it’s we who break it. Not God.  

Reading through the Old Testament, I’ve often thought what would I do if I were God?  And the answer is always the same.   I’d never stay the course like He did and still does.  I’d never be faithful to such faithless people.  Oh how glad I am that God is not like me.  The Bible says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. And because He is, that tells me like in the days of old, He’ll be faithful to me, even during those times when I’m faithless; even during those time when I’m not doing the things I should. And in this day and age, when a person’s word, a business contract, a vow taken by a judge, a doctor, even between a husband and wife doesn’t always mean much, it’s good to know there’s One Who’ll always keeps His word; One Who is always faithful. 

Until next week,

Sylvia

I could write a book on this attribute.  Years ago, when my husband lost his job, it plunged us into financial hardship. At the beginning of this downturn, my husband and I made the decision that no matter what, we would be faithful in our tithes.  We were no strangers to tithing.  We had been tithing for years, but were often careless.  If we were short one week, we just put God off.  This time we promised ourselves we won’t do that.

But would we keep the promise? We had a son in college and a daughter who was getting married. Things were certain to get tight. On the other hand, surely this downturn would only be temporary.  My husband had great credentials and vast experience in his field. In no time, someone would snap him up.

He sent out one resume after another, even in response to jobs that were below his former position as Chief Financial Officer. But it seemed as if the resumes were falling into a black hole because no one ever contacted him.

This made change necessary. First, we sold our boat, then the house. We became renters and lived in a condo. Our lifestyle downsized, too.  Finally, through a friend, my husband landed a part-time consulting job. I had also gone back to work. But it was a full year before he was offered a permanent job that came with title, benefits, the works.  A full year of waiting on God; a full year of keeping our promise to Him concerning our tithe; a full year of fighting the temptation to wallow in discouragement.

But as we look back on it, we both agree it was one of our best years, for it was a year that we truly drew closer to God; a year where we got to know Him in a new and deeper way. Even to this day, when my husband and I talk about it, we marvel how, through it all, God met our needs, how He provided enough to keep our son in college; how He enabled us to give our daughter a nice wedding; and even to live in a lovely condo.

Since then, God has more than restored everything.  He has, in fact, given us a double portion.  Is God provider?  Well, to me, that’s an obvious “yes.”

Until next week,

Sylvia

Thanksgiving has made most of us take inventory of all the things we have to be grateful for: freedom, family, friends, a roof over our heads, clothes, food, health, a job. The list is endless.  God has been good to us. We are a blessed nation.  And most of us God lovers are greatly blessed individually, as well. But what would happen if we lost some of these blessings?  Would we still be grateful?  Still have an attitude of gratitude? Still believe God loved us?

“Americans don’t know how to do poor.” That’s what one Peruvian woman said who grew up in an 8x10 dirt floor shack with ten others. I think for the most part she’s right. I spent some of Thanksgiving listening to people who have traveled to places where entire populations had little freedom, clothing, food, shelter, or health. We take so much for granted.  And we American Christians often take God for granted, too.  We equate prosperity with our reward from God.  Some even believe it’s their due.  We’ve come to think like the world thinks. If we perform well, do all the “right” things, then God will bless us. But what if the blessings don’t continue to come? Or are removed altogether?  Does that mean God no longer favors us? 

It’s true that often God’s judgment for sin comes in the form of hardship, depravation, suffering.  It’s not true that hardship, depravation and suffering always mean God’s judgment or disfavor. After all, since the Bible says it rains on the just and unjust alike, the reverse is true: drought (or a down-turn economy) can affect both the just and unjust. Sometimes God allows hard times to come our way even when we’re doing everything “right”. Why?  Because He loves us.  Because He wants to forge our character, to sandpaper those rough edges of ours, to train us, to bring us into a deeper place with Him. Think back.  Wasn’t it during those difficult times that you learned the most?  Grew the most as a person?

Some of us are facing tough times now. Many others will probably face them before too long.  A portion of these problems might be self inflicted. If they are we can learn from them as well. But others are inflicted upon us.  No matter what the case, we can learn and grow. And if we have an attitude of gratitude, if we trust God to see us through, we can end up on the other side better than when we began. 

As we near the end of a difficult 2009 and look forward to an uncertain 2010, let us keep our eyes on God, the One who is our refuge and strength in times of trouble.

Until next week,

Sylvia