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)