Faithfulness -

Faithfulness. A word you hear so often in the Bible. It describes God's character. It is something we are instructed to be. It is a "fruit" of the spirit. But what does it truly mean? What does it mean to have a faithful God?

I was listening to a song on my ipod driving today that has wonderful lyrics and talks about how our God is faithful. And for some reason, it got me thinking about that and I found myself in awe of Him.

This weekend a life-long friend of our family, and a very good, very Godly man, passed away quite unexpectedly. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few months ago, and everyone who knew this family and believes in miracles began praying for complete healing. Our prayers seemed answered because as of Friday there was NO SIGN of the tumor! However, he was diagnosed with meningitis and within less than 24 hours he went from not feeling very well with a small fever, to passing away. Was God faithful?

Some might think not. Some may think it is cruel for a God to take away loved ones when they still have so much life to live and so much goodness to share with the world. How about when children die? Is God faithful then? When catastrophes come to innocent people, and bad things happen to those who are considered good? Is God faithful?

I think yes. God IS faithful, because God is faithful to His Word. We are never told that life on this earth will be easy. God never promised that part of His faithfulness was to shield us from pain. His promise and faithfulness is that He will "never leave us or forsake us". His promise is that WHEN pain comes, He is there. He will cry with us. He will show us how to walk through our pain and know that we are not walking it alone. He knows our heart's cry without us having to try and put it into words.

This thought has made me sit and think today what else the Bible says that we know God is faithful to. How about the way the earth moves on it's axis and seasons come and go as they should? He is faithful. How about the fact that we are promised that what satan intends for evil, God will take and use for good? He is faithful. And how about the fact that I can rest and let Him be God because I know He holds my world in His hands, just as He promised? He is faithful.

Think on that today - what a wonderful thing to have a faithful God who keeps His promises. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. My God never changes, and neither do His promises. I will close this post with the lyrics of the song that started this thought process in my mind.

"There's the redeemed lost again
Confused with doubts and suffering
But if only they'd open up their eyes
And see the beauty of their God, who has never left their side

This is the chorus of the saints singing "Hallelujah! Our God is faithful!"

We the redeemed are lost again
With misplaced trust and desire to complain
But if only we'd open up our eyes
And see the beauty of our God
Who has never left our side

This is the chorus of the saints singing "Hallelujah! Our God is faithful!"

So open up your eyes
And see the beauty of your God
Who has never left your side

This is the chorus of the saints singing "Hallelujah! Our God is faithful!"