Marian
Scriptures:
Hebrews 12:1-3 Genesis 8:22 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 Psalm 89:1-2
The day had been beautiful and, as early evening approached, I joined others on the lawn outside a neighbouring village hall. Our chairs were placed in the shade of an oak tree whose branches rose upwards in praise to its Creator. Led by a young woman on her guitar, we prayed and worshipped God, our voices blending with the evening bird song. As our evening was ending, the sun was slipping below the horizon, turning the darkening sky into the most radiant shades of orange with purple hues, throwing an ethereal glow across the rolling farm fields.
On my homeward journey, I was once again in awe as I reached the top of the hill overlooking our village, where the moon hovered over the primary School, brighter and bigger than I ever remember seeing it in all my 80 years. This was a day I will never forget and I began to sing the second verse of a well loved hymn,
Summer and Winter and Springtime and Harvest, Sun, Moon And Stars In Their Courses Above, Join With All Nature In Manifold Witness To Thy Great Faithfulness, Mercy And Love
One thing remains certain in our broken world - God IS faithful and we see evidence of His faithfulness in the beauty and majesty of His creation. When Noah was able to come out of the Ark following the flood, God made a Covenant promise with him, “
“While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, Winter and Summer, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22)
I’ve spoken of the outward signs of the faithfulness of God, but there is so much more, especially in the profuse promises He gives in His Word. Space does not permit me to share more than a couple of verses, but I would encourage you to take time this week to search through the Scriptures for those wonderful promises from our faithful God. There can be nothing so faith building as feeding on the promises of God – assured that He is always faithful. You may find the following link helpful: https://jesusalive.cc/times-god-called-faithful/
Having looked at the faithfulness of our Triune God, how are we, who were created by Him, to respond when so often we fail Him?
Maybe the answer to this question lies partly in understanding the difference between the word FAITHFUL and the word FAITH. This is how the dictionary describes these two words: FAITHFUL is remaining loyal and steadfast. FAITH is having confidence or trust in a person or thing.
Perhaps one of the most important ways to respond to the faithfulness of our wonderful Abba Father is to hold fast to our confidence in trusting Him in every circumstance. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 Paul speaks of our need to “run the race to win the prize”. The writer to the Hebrews echoes this (Hebrews 12:-1-2): “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Prayer: Faithful God, we join with the Psalmist in singing of Your mercies, and we will make known Your faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 89:1-2). Help us to run the race, spurring one another on in love, as we see the day approaching. May we constantly keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our wonderful Saviour, empowered by Holy Spirit to endure to the end, when we shall see You face to face. Amen
I pray that the lyrics in this beautiful song will encourage you as greatly as it encourages me.