Jane M. Phinney
Many years ago, when I was in college
, I painstakingly made a large banner for my dorm wall above my bed. The 3’x3’ moss green burlap creation was decorated with free-hand lettering & a myriad of bright multi-colored wildflowers. I sewed & frayed the edges, mounted it on a dowel rod & hung it up with twine. It said, “
Faithful is He who calls you, & He also will bring it to pass.”
(I Thess. 5:24) It graced that place the duration of my higher education days. I loved that verse then & I still love it now, although it has come to have a completely different application in my life.
This week I was writing out one
of the most quoted verses in the Bible referencing standing against temptation, I Corinthians 10:13. I was contemplating the idea that we tend to think of it like a “pep talk,” wrapping our minds around the phrases that give us the “umph” to keep going in adversity. Temptation is a common occurrence (check), God will not allow more than we can handle (check), & He provides the way of out so we can get through it (check). Then it HIT ME! The victory available to us is not because we follow outlined steps or quote pious platitudes.
Any
victory we experience in
any
situation is
only
because GOD IS FAITHFUL. Stop &
read the verse now.
Focus on those 3 powerful words
first
& then absorb the effect of them in your life, as penned out in the remainder of the verse. If God was not faithful,
all
the time,
every minute of every day
, the totality of life would be a disaster! Our victory in ongoing bleak situations or in sudden attacks is
solely dependent on our submission to our faithful, ever-present, all-powerful God.
Can you wrap your head around that glorious truth? He has our backs…& a whole lot more!!!
The next thing I did was check out
the cross-references, something that confirmed the importance of understanding the underlying Truth to all His promises. Consider these declarations of His character as confessions of His loyalty to His own, to YOU,
if
you are part of His family in Christ. “
God is faithful
, through whom you were called…He is God,
the faithful
God,
who keeps His covenant…
the Lord who is faithful
, the Holy one of Israel who has chosen you…as
God is faithful
our word to you is not yes & no…
the Lord is faithful
, & He will strengthen & protect you from the evil one…if we are faithless,
He remains faithful
, for He cannot deny Himself…
faithful is He who calls you
, & He also will bring it to pass.” (I Cor.1:9; Deut.7:9; Isaiah 49:7; 2 Cor. 1:18; 2 Thess. 2:3; 2 Tim 2:13; I Thess. 5:24) Our victory is not in the verses themselves. Our victory is in the Lord, the faithful one, who has made glorious provision for our lives through His Son. Once you believe He IS who He SAYS He IS, you have
already won
the battle—no matter how your circumstances look.
When I put up that banner in my dorm room
, my understanding of God’s faithfulness was limited & a bit one-sided. I erroneously assumed that because I confessed Christ & agreed God had a purpose for my life, He would bring about success in the endeavors I chose to do. I call it the “slot-machine” view of God. You put in what you think He wants, so you expect Him to fulfill what you want. Hm-m, a self-focused mindset for sure! Years later, I realized my life verse was the completion, the assurance, & the follow-up to the previous verse.
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; & may your spirit & soul & body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he who calls you, & He also will bring it to pass.”
(2 Thess. 5:23 & 24) Yes, He is faithful in the dailies of our lives. He is faithful to work His purposes for our good (&His glory) in present trials & blessings. But His faithfulness means so much more!
He is
loyal & trustworthy
!!! He is THE constant in our lives… enduring to the end of it, on earth, & beyond into eternity. He is faithful to preserve us complete & to present us blameless until the Lord calls us home, &/or He returns to earth as our Victorious King! Recount His loyalty & faithfulness to you. You will be humbled & amazed!
You Are Faithful©
Sad in my soul
With worries & fears
You are faithful to me
You welcome my tears
I wrestle & ponder
I cry in the night
You are faithful to me
Darkness flees in Your light
The pain I embrace
Is the heart of my calling
You are faithful to me
Truth protects me from falling
Silence is not golden
Me-me does not share
You are faithful to me
When hard hearts do not care
Earthly burdens feel heavy
They do not fly away
You are faithful to me
Your strength is my stay
Who have I but You, Lord?
I need not pretend
You are faithful to me
From beginning to end.
