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)