The Faithfulness Of God # 3

 The Faithfulness Of God # 3

Nor must this confession be merely of our mouths, but of our hearts, also. When God smites us with the rod of chastisement, it is faithfulness which wields it. To acknowledge this means that we humble ourselves before Him, own that we fully deserve His correction, and instead of murmuring, thank Him for it. God never afflicts His redeemed people without a reason. "For this cause many are weak and sickly among you" (1 Cor. 11:30), says Paul, illustrating this principle. When His rod falls upon us let us say with Daniel, "O Lord, righteousness belongs unto You, but unto us confusion of faces." (9:7).

"I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that You in faithfulness have afflicted me." (Psalm 119:75). Trouble and affliction are not only consistent with God's pledged in the everlasting covenant, but they are parts of the administration of the same. God is not only faithful notwithstanding afflictions, but faithful in sending them. "Then will I visit their transgressions with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless My loving-kindness I will not utterly take from him, nor allow My faithfulness to fail." (Psalm 89:32-33). Chastening is not only reconcilable with God's loving-kindness, but it is the effect and expression of it. It would much quiet the minds of God's people if they would remember that His covenant love binds Him to lay on them seasonable correction. Afflictions are necessary for us: "In their affliction, they will seek Me early." (Hosea 5:15).

God is faithful in glorifying His people. "Faithful is He who calls you, Who also will do it." (1 Thess. 5:24). The immediate reference here is to the saints being "preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." God deals with us not on the ground of our merits (for we have none), but for His own great name's sake. God is constant to Himself and to His own purpose of grace; "whom He called...them He also glorified." (Romans 8:30).

God gives a full demonstration of the constancy of His everlasting goodness toward His elect by effectually calling them out of darkness into His marvelous light - and this should fully assure them of the certain continuance of it. "The foundation of God stands sure." (2 Timothy 2:19). Paul was resting on the faithfulness o God when he said, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12).

The apprehension of this blessed truth will preserve us from worry. To be full of care, to view our situation with dark forebodings, to anticipate the morrow with sad anxiety - is to reflect poorly upon the faithfulness of God. He who has cared for His redeemed child through all the years, will not forsake him in old age. He who has heard your prayers in the past, will not refuse to supply your need in the present emergency. Rest on Job 5:19, "He shall deliver you in six troubles; yes, in seven thee shall no evil touch you."

The apprehension of this blessed truth will check your murmurings. The Lord knows what is best for each one of us, and one effect of resting on this truth will be the silencing of our petulant complainings. God is greatly honored when, under trial and chastening - we have good thoughts of Him, vindicate His wisdom and justice, and recognize His love in His very rebukes.

The apprehension of this blessed truth will beget increasing confidence in God. "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator." (1 Peter 4:19). When we trustfully resign ourselves, and all our affairs into God's hands, fully persuaded of His love and faithfulness, the sooner shall we be satisfied with His providences and realize that "He does all things well!"

~A. W. Pink~

(The End)

The Faithfulness Of God # 2

 The Faithfulness Of God # 2

There are seasons in the lives of all when it is not easy, no not even for Christians, to believe that God is faithful. Our faith is sorely tried, our eyes are bedimmed with tears, and we can no longer trace the outworkings of His love. Our ears are distracted with the noises of the world, harassed by the atheistic whisperings of satan, and we can no longer hear the sweet accents of His still small voice.

Cherished plans have been thwarted, friends on whom we relied have failed us, a professed brother or sister in Christ has betrayed us. We are staggered. We sought to be faithful to God, and now a dark cloud hides Him from us. We find it difficult, yes, impossible, for carnal reason to harmonize His frowning providence with His gracious promises.

Ah, faltering soul, severely tried fellow pilgrim, seek grace to heed Isaiah 50:10, "Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the Word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light - trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God."

When you are tempted to doubt the faithfulness of God, cry out, "Get hence satan." Though you cannot now harmonize God's mysterious dealings with the avowals of His love, wait on Him for more light. In His own good time, He will make it plain to you. "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." (John 13:7). The sequel will yet demonstrate that God has neither forsaken nor deceived His child. "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!" (Isaiah 30:18).

"Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,

But trust Him for His grace,

Behind a frowning providence

He hides a smiling face.

You fearful saints, fresh courage take,

The clouds you so much dread,

Are rich with mercy, and shall break

In blessing o'er your head!"

"The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy." (Psalm 119:138). God has not only told us the best, but also He has told us the worst. He has faithfully described the ruin which the Fall has effected. He has faithfully diagnosed the terrible state which sin has produced. He has faithfully made known His inverterate hatred of evil, and that He must punish the same. He has faithfully warned us that He is "a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29). Not only does His Word abound in illustrations of His fidelity in fulfilling His promises, but it also records numerous examples of His faithfulness in making good His threatenings.

Every stage of Israel's history exemplifies that solemn fact. So it was with individuals: Pharaoh, Korah, Achan and a multitude of others are so many proofs. And thus it will be with you, my reader - unless you have fled or do flee to Christ for refuge, the everlasting burning of the Lake of Fire will be your sure and certain portion! God who threatens, is faithful!

God is faithful in preserving His people. "God is faithful, by Whom you were called unto the fellowship to His Son." (1 Corinthians 1:9). In the previous verse, promise was made that God would confirm His own people unto the end. The Apostle's confidence in the absolute security of believers was founded not on the strength of their resolutions or ability to persevere, but on the veracity of Him who cannot lie. Since God has promised to His Son a certain people for His inheritance, to deliver them from sin and condemnation, and to make them participants of eternal life in glory - it is certain that He will not allow any of them to perish.

God is faithful in disciplining His people. He is faithful in what He withholds - no less than in what He gives. He is faithful in sending sorrow as well - as in giving joy. The faithfulness of God is a truth to be confessed by us not only when we are at ease - but also when we are smarting under the sharpest rebuke.

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 3)