God is Faithful

James Smith, 1842
 

"He who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

The promises of God flow from His love, and are intended to support the faith and hope of His people in seasons of trouble and trial. In them, He pledges Himself to give what we need, and to bestow what we ask in fervent believing prayer. Nor is there one blessing we can need for soul or body, in sickness or health, living or dying — but He has graciously promised it! "The Lord will give that which is good;" and all that is good, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. "The Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly!" Psalm 84:11

Let us briefly consider what He has promised us in His word, and remember, every promise shall be made good. The first blessing we need, is the pardon of sin, and this He has repeatedly promised, saying, "I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more." Hebrews 8:12. Read also Jeremiah 30:8.

We need power against sin, and "He gives power to the faint; and to those who have no might, He increases strength." And "those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:29-31. "Sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under the law — but under grace." Romans 6:14.

We need to be cleansed from sin, and He says, "I will sprinkle clean water upon you — and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness and from all your idols will I cleanse you." Ezekiel 36:25. "He will subdue our iniquities; and will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea!" Micah 7:19.

Peace of conscience is an invaluable blessing, and "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you: because he trusts in you? Isaiah 26:3.

Supporting grace is also promised, "My grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9.

So is supplying grace, "My God shall supply all your needs, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19.

So is growth in grace, "I will be to Israel like a refreshing dew from Heaven. Israel will blossom like the lily; it will send roots deep into the soil like the cedars in Lebanon. Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees, as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon. My people will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines. They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon." Hosea 14:5-7

So is persevering grace, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delights in His way. Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholds him with His hand." Psalm 37:20, 21. "The righteous shall hold on His way, and he who has clean hands shall wax stronger and stronger." Job. 17:9.

So is guidance, "I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them and not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16.

So is the Lord's presence, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you! When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior!" Isaiah 43:1-3

So also that all things work together for our good. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them!" Romans 8:28.

He has promised us eternal life with all its glories. "And this is what he promised us — even eternal life!" 1 John 2:25. "In the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began!" Titus 1:2.

Thus all is promised, which we do or can need! And God is faithful to His word, and will assuredly make it good. This is clear from . . .
the perfection of His nature, James 1:17;
the stability of His covenant, Isaiah 54:9, 10;
the sacredness of His oath, Hebrews 6:16-19;
the testimony of His saints, 1 Corinthians 1:10;
the gift of His Son, Romans 8:32;
the history of the church, and
the design of the promises.

Let us therefore firmly believe them; for "the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil." 2 Thessalonians 3:3.

Let us trust them with implicit confidence, for "faithful is He who calls you, who also will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24.

Let us plead them in faith, though we are weak and fearful; for, "though we believe not — yet He abides faithful; He cannot deny Himself." 2 Tim. 2:13.

And while we "suffer according to the will of God, let us commit the keeping of our souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator." 1 Peter 4:19.

He says, "I am Jehovah, I change not Malachi 3:6. "I am in the same mind now, as when I made the promises. I intend all I said. I purpose to make them good. I never did deceive — I never will. Those who trust me shall not be ashamed. Wait upon me, and expect me to do as I have said. Not one jot or tittle of my word shall fail — but all shall be fulfilled to the very letter!"

Beloved, let us stay ourselves upon the Lord's word; let us turn from creatures, from our own gloomy feelings, from the changing scenes around us — to the unchangeable word of our gracious God. He bids us trust Him always, "Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock!" Isaiah 26:4. Trust Him especially in the dark, "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!" Isaiah 50:10. He assures us that we shall be immoveable as Mount Zion. "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore!" Psalm 125:1-2.

We may trust Him — for He warrants us.

We ought to trust Him — for He commands us.

We must trust Him — or we shall be wretched!

"But he who trusts in the Lord — mercy shall compass him about." Psalm 32:10. Let us therefore "trust in the mercy of the Lord forever!" Psalm 52:8. "For His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting, upon those who fear Him." Psalm 103:17