We often find ourselves stretched on difficult days and decision making has the potential to become a challenge. Times will come when we might regret making a commitment, yet it is necessary to keep one’s word. But there is a sense in which, despite our best efforts, every promise we make is conditional because we may be unable to keep our word due to circumstances beyond our control. It’s fact that only God can perfectly keep each of his promises.
yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jas 4:14–15). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
A troubled world is presented in the Bible with stark similarities to our times: death, doubt, and desire. Are we not tempted to doubt God’s faithfulness? Despite how we may feel at times and how we may perceive circumstances through our limited understanding and self-focused tendencies, the Bible repeatedly shows God’s faithfulness. In Genesis we read where God revealed and kept His promises to Abraham and yet, the behaviors of his descendants is sometimes baffling. Although redeemed for the divine agenda of the world, Isaac mirrored his father’s wrongful actions when taking matters into his own hands. Through God’s graciousness and providential care, in the end he was transformed, gained riches, and made it back to the land of promise. And then, it was Jacob’s dream that God would use to confirm his identity as the God of Abraham and Isaac. Although he had sought betrayal, Jacob would receive the blessing. God’s covenant was restated again and again, connecting blessings to his redemptive presence. God is faithful to preserve his people.
Many reasons for God’s designs are beyond our understanding…Hence in every case we should marvel at his wisdom and praise his ineffable love – Chrysostom
God’s faithfulness to his people serves as a pattern throughout the Bible. God granted Isaac as a miracle child to Sarah and Abraham to show His kept promise to them. Esau and Jacob were also an answer to Isaac’s prayer. God granted a miraculous birth, Samuel was given to Hannah despite her seemingly barren state. Manoah’s wife faced infertility but gave birth to Samson, whom God used to judge Israel. Then, ultimately, the virgin Mary gave birth to the Savior of the world, an unlikely birth that was the culmination of all of God’s promises. Because God is faithful and as He fulfills all of His promises to His people, our response should be one of trust (Prov. 3:5-6). He uses all means that contribute to our eternal welfare (Rom. 8:28-29). Confidence in Christ’s faithfulness on our behalf frees us from doubt. God is faithful in all His dealings with us.
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ge 28:15). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Difficult circumstances have not ceased to exist in our fallen world, but a right understand of God’s character would inform us that God is never taken by surprise. He full well knew that His people both then and now would fail and yet our finite minds cannot fathom the depth of God’s love that we witness in the generations of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They would stand as a doubting, distressed, and unworthy people to be reaffirmed as Israel. Even today, God continues to rescue his people. Ultimately displayed in the cross of Jesus, He is simultaneously the covenant maker and our covenant keeper – Jesus Christ is the One who shed his own blood for us and was raised from the dead to free us from the curse of sin. The promise of God to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob is the promise God himself has fulfilled for us in Jesus who will live with his people forever (Rev. 21:4).
love which stoops and sacrifices and services, love which is kind to the unkind and generous to the ungrateful and undeserving. – John Stott
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Heb 10:23). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
What difference does knowing the faithfulness of God make? God is altogether good, wise, sovereign, and powerful; therefore, we can indeed trust Him because He is faithful in all things, at all times. God’s Word shines forth the faithfulness of God as most clearly manifested in the person and work of Jesus Christ. In Christ, we see God’s faithfulness put on full display. He will be our God, and we will be His people, and on that great day of Jesus’ return, we will be together enjoying Him forever.
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (2 Co 1:20). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
For additional reading on this topic: https://debbieswindell.com/2021/07/24/six-keys-to-trusting-gods-faithfulness/
An Everyday Theologian 