Wonder at His Faithfulness

It amazes me how unfaithful the human race can be. We go through life fluttering from one thing to the next. We put our faith in a thousand different things every week. Our culture is conditioning us to be ok with change if for no other reason than change itself. 

Our God is faithful; He is unchanging. The author of Deuteronomy says, “Know therefore that your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations.”  The book of Deuteronomy is all about remembering. The key Hebrew word “zawkar,” meaning “remember,” is used 18 times. Even the meaning of the word “Deuteronomy” means “second law” or “second giving of the law.” In other words, God did not change. He reminds His people over and over in the New and Old Testaments of who He is. 

​So, who is He? 

1. God is God. This may seem redundant to the casual reader or someone who is reading this blog for the first time, but what the author reminds us is that Elohim is not like other gods. In particular, He is not like the leaders of other nations and the mythical creatures of fancy from years gone by. In this age of superstar entertainers, athletes, and YouTube sensations, we need to remember that there is only one worthy of our worship. We cannot deny that politicians, entertainers, athletes, and even some that we may look up to in ministry will indeed let us down over and over again. God will never let you down. God keeps His promises. 

1. God is faithful.  God has made us promises, thousands of promises throughout scripture. God is able and ready not only to fulfill His own promises, but also to answer all the just expectations of those who worship Him. I love the line in the song Great is Thy Faithfulness, “Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not. As thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.” In this time of increasing disloyalty, God is faithful, and not just to us, but to 1,000 generations. When you feel like there is nothing you can hold on to in this world, hold fast to God and His Word, and He will hold fast to you. 

1. God is love. He loves those who love Him and keep His commandments. 1 Corinthians gives us an amazing picture of what love looks like. We know what that looks like according to Jesus’ life. He has been patient and kind to us. Jesus did not envy or boast. He was never arrogant, but instead He was sacrificial in the way He loved. He did not insist on His own way. Instead He said, “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And He rejoices in truth. Do we pretend to love Him? If we say we love Him and others, then we have to make a conscious decision to keep His commandments. And not only to keep them, but to rejoice in them daily. 

Today, in the cold and snowy Indiana winter, there is sunshine because God is faithful. In the turmoil of a culture that kills and hates one another, God is merciful.  I wonder at God’s faithfulness in this very moment! But I know, Lord, I need you. Help me continue to be amazed at who You are and how much You love me.