God is Faithful
Monday— All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful toward those who keep…his covenant. Psalm 25:10
Between AI and Starlink, Bibles are everywhere, so there is no excuse for not knowing what it says. However, we substitute cherry-picked verselets texted to our phones for true Bible study. The problem is that when scripture is ripped from its context, it can appear to say something it doesn’t and apply to anyone on Instagram. But God didn’t write in isolated verses. Usually, there are qualifiers before those cozy promises—like there is in this verse.
A quick study of the “ifs” of scripture can be eye-opening. Many flowery Facebook quotes and cross-stitched wall decorations are verses taken wildly out of context. They are not generic guarantees, but loving promises to whomever to “those who keep His covenant.” When our hearts are wholly His, He faithfully “shows Himself strong on our behalf” (2 Chron. 16:9). When we live as His servants, He promises that “no weapon formed against us will prosper” (Is. 54:17). God’s ways are loving and faithful toward all who honor and fear Him.
Challenge: Before you claim a promise in God’s word, check for the qualifiers. If it applies to you, God will keep it.
Prayer: Lord God, do I cherry-pick your word for cheerful promises while ignoring your qualifiers? You are faithful to your word and yourself. Help me align my life with your will so I can benefit from your promises. Amen.
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Tuesday— He who began a good work in you will carry it to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil. 1:6
The portrait of the artists’ family had remained for years under a tarp, unfinished. Most forgot about it and assumed the renowned painter had forgotten it too. Then one day, he entered his studio, tossed aside the covering, and began to mix paints. Within a week, the portrait was ready for viewing. “It’s magnificent,” people agreed. “But why, sir, did you wait so long to finish it?” they asked. The artist smiled and pointed to the canvas where a uniformed young man smiled beside the rest of the family. “Until he was home,” he said. “It couldn’t be completed.”
“Why are you taking so long, God?” we ask. Has He forgotten about us? No, He is faithful. He began His good work in us the day we surrendered to Him. But we’re works in progress. His design in us is often hidden under our flaws. He’s allowing life to teach us a few things, knock the rough edges off our character, make us desperate for His voice. We can wonder if God has forgotten about us, but He hasn’t. He’s continuing to work on us, if we don’t leap off the easel. But we won’t see the finishing touches until Jesus comes to complete the picture.
Challenge: You are a work in progress. The great Artist never forgets about His masterpiece.
Prayer: Father, it helps to know that even when I feel stuck in life that you are not finished with me yet. You began a great work in me and you are faithful to complete it. Help me cooperate with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Wednesday— The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning… therefore, I will hope in him! Lamentations 3:22-14
The sun peers over the horizon and light creeps across the lawn. Birds awaken. A new day has come. All should be new and fresh, and yet… Yesterdays failures spring to mind, bringing shame and regret like clouds blocking the sun. Isn’t it good to know that God hasn’t run out of mercy? He has a fresh batch waiting for us every morning.
What a difference it makes when we greet the new day covered in fresh mercy. It’s ours for the asking. Before the toast pops up or the coffee gets cold, we can dip into that mercy pool and take all we need: “Father, you have given me a new day and I thank you for it. Please forgive my sin of yesterday and help me learn from it. Today, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight (Ps. 19:14). Help me live today so that you’re glad you gave it to me.” And He grants those requestions because He is always faithful to His word.
Challenge: Greet each new day by dipping into God’s mercy pool and starting over.
Prayer: Father, thank you that your mercy is new every morning. I never run out of second chances. Help me learn from past mistakes and become wiser because of them. Help me share with others the mercy you give me. Amen.
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Thursday— If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. 2 Timothy 2:13
“I can’t believe even God would take me back,” Sal muttered, face in his hands. “I’ve blown it so bad this time. I can’t even ask forgiveness again. He’s probably sick of hearing from me. I would be, if I was Him.” Tony frowned. “Yeah, I get it. I’ve felt like that before. But one thing I’ve learned, God is not like us. He doesn’t give up on people He died for when we turn to Him. He says He’s faithful to us even when we’re not faithful to Him.”
One thing we know about God is that He’s not like us (Is. 55:8-9). He doesn’t think like us, respond like us, or feel about people the way we feel. He’s not reactive; He’s always proactive. Nothing catches Him off guard, even that major screwup. He already knew you were going to do it and He died for you anyway. Your blasphemy? Hypocrisy? Addiction? Sin pattern? He sees it and it grieves Him. But He leaves the door open and the light on anyway, in case you come to your senses. We might not do that, so why does He? It’s because that’s who He is, not something He does. Faithfulness is His nature and He cannot deny who He is.
Challenge: No matter how unfaithful you have been, God is faithful to you when you return in repentance.
Prayer: Father, I freely admit that I don’t understand all of who you are. But one thing I know—you are faithful. I’ve seen your faithfulness to me and I thank you for it. Help me be faithful to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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Friday— No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
“You don’t understand how overwhelming temptation is,” Mel argued. “You’ve never been an addict. You couldn’t possibly know how hard it is to resist.” Dave took a step forward. “No, it’s YOU who has no idea how strong temptation is because you always give in. Only those who’ve resisted all the way know how powerful it can get. But when I learned to ask for it and then look for it, God always provides a way to escape so I don’t have to give in.”
“God, take away this temptation!” we cry. And He doesn’t. It’s still there. So we give in and blame Him. “If God wanted me to stop, He would take it away and He doesn’t so…” And we take another puff, pill, drink, or click on the porn app. God never promises to remove our temptations. We’d have to be dead to escape opportunities to sin. Instead, He promises to provide a way of escape in the middle of them. Turn away, drive away, or call for help.
Challenge: When you are tempted to sin, ask God to open your eyes to your way of escape. Then take it.
Prayer: Father, you know my temptations. I’ve thought if you loved me, you would take them away. But you don’t promise that. You say you will provide a way of escape instead. So help me look for it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
