THE FAITHFUL GOD

In O.T. times, believers instinctively knew that God could not be inconsistent with His holy nature. What He promised in His love and mercy must be fulfilled. No word from Him can fruitless fall. So they gloried in His steadfastness, and in His unchanging covenant and oath thereon. He was the faithful God that kept covenant, Deut. 7. 9; Psa. 111. 5.

They desired to show forth His lovingkindness in the morning, and His faithfulness every night, 92. 2. God’s testimonies concerning His purposes for them were very faithful, 119. 138. His commandments are faithful, for with the command the enabling obedience is given, for He works in them both to will and to do of His good pleasure, 119. 138; Phil. 2. 13.

“Thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds” —to the very throne of God, Psa. 36. 5. God was His own witness of His integrity. Now we know of One who was made like unto His brethren that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest upon the throne. He is the “yea” and “amen” to all the promises of God which are by us to the glory of God, 2 Cor. 1. 20; Rev. 3. 14.

Is there suffering for Christ’s sake? Commit the keeping of your souls to Him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator, 1 Pet. 4. 19, assuredly knowing that no testing overtakes you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful who will make a way of escape, 1 Cor. 10. 13. If necessary, be faithful unto death so that a crown of life shall be yours, Rev. 2. 10. (Do we pray for suffering believers?)

The psalmist accepted his suffering from the hand of God, “thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me”, Psa. 119. 75. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”, 1 John 1. 9. We must know the truth of this so as to be useful to Him.

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son”, 1 Cor. 1. 9. In response, it is required that we are found faithful in the absence of our Lord, so that He will gladly show His approval in that day: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”, 1 Cor. 4. 2; Matt. 25. 21.

“Confide in Jehovah … feed on faithfulness”, Psa. 37. 3 J.N.D.