©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com
I trusted they would be there. The ocean blue as far as I could see. The white-capped waves breaking on the beach. The sun rising above the water as it signaled a new day.
It had been well over a year since I had seen the ocean, but just as I expected, the waves continued to lap the coast, the sand continued to feel squishy beneath my feet, and the shells continued to find their place on the shoreline.
I counted on that. I was confident.
Tides would rise and rescind. Waves would roar and roll. The sun would rise and set.
We trust those actions will happen.
So much more can our confidence be in the faithfulness of God.
His mercy. His love. His presence.
We can be confident that the Creator of the Universe, the one whose Word spoke into existence the sun and seas, is faithful.
Do we ever depend on the waves to caress the shore and remain confident that the sun and moon will rise, yet at times doubt the faithfulness of the Creator?
When we hurt? When we grieve? When we’re angry?
When we pray and God’s answer isn’t what we want?
When we feel alone?
Rest assured…
The God who designed the elements of the universe we rely on has the character we can count on.
In the actions of the sun, moon and seas, God placed a testament to His faithfulness. Daily reminders.
He demonstrated His faithfulness when He protected Daniel in the lions’ den, delivered the Israelites out of bondage and, most importantly, sent His Son to serve as the sacrificial payment for our sin.
He showed His faithfulness when He saved Noah, his family and the animals from the flood and when Jesus rose from the grave.
Even when the night grows dark, the stars distant and the moon visible only as a sliver, God is still there.
Because of God’s faithfulness, we can rely on His power and count on His promises. We can be confident His forgiveness is complete, His Light shines in the darkness, and His love soothes the impact of the storms.
The 2nd and 3rd verses in the 1886 hymn “Standing on the Promises” by Russell Kelso Carter still resonate:
Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.
In God’s Word and through His Works, we find proof that He is trustworthy, reliable and faithful.
The more we trust Him, the greater peace we can experience.
Let’s take a look at just a few of the many ways we can be assured of God’s faithfulness:
We can trust God’s Word
Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Psalm 119:89,91-93 NIV
We Can Trust God to Forgive our Sins
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NIV
We Can Trust that God Desires Fellowship with Us
He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:8-10 NIV
We can Trust God will Give Us Strength (even when facing evil)
And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 NIV
We Can Trust God will not Abandon Us (and we are not alone)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
We can Trust what God Does in our Life and in the World (knowing He is righteous and just)
For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.
The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love. Psalm 33:4-5 NIV
We can Trust God for Refuge
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:2-4 NIV
We Can Trust His Plan and His Purposes (even when we can’t understand it)
The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Psalm 33:10-11 NIV
We can Trust God’s Faithfulness Forever
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Psalm 119:90 NIV
- What friend or loved one do you consider most faithful in your life?
- How do you determine if someone is faithful?
- In what ways have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life in the past?
- When do you tend to doubt or question God’s faithfulness? What action can you take to battle that?
- Which Scripture listed here is most comforting to you?
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22 NIV
Remember…
Life is Better When It’s Full – Joy-full, Thank-full, Purpose-full and Friend-full! ™