SPIRITUAL GROWTH ENHANCERS
REF NO: 019
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; Deuteronomy 7:9
'TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus saith the Lord!
Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
Those were the very lines of Louisa Stead. In 1880 her husband got drowned. Two years later, this hymn was published. It is widely believed that she wrote this hymn in response to the peace she found in trusting Jesus despite her sorrow. Mrs. Stead went on to serve for many years as a missionary in Africa.
No matter what lies ahead, God is faithful. Life is always not fair, but God is always faithful. His faithfulness protects us and gives us value.
When times are tough, we often lose our faith in God. But God is always with you, guiding you, and protecting you. It may not happened yet, but God is faithful, it will come to pass. In these times of struggle where everyone is fighting a battle medically, financially, emotionally, or personally, this article of God's faithfulness and covenant will give you a ray of hope and faith to match on till victory is won.
Faithfulness in Hebrew is the word ’emet.’ This word can also translate into ‘truth.’ That is why the word, emet, is related to the Hebrew expression, ‘amen,’ which means ‘that’s the truth!’
Moreover, the Hebrew authors of the Bible have also used ’emet’ to refer to stability and reliability. And when the word emet is used to refer to people, it defines the character of being reliable or stable, or simply trustworthy.
The name “Faithful God” encapsulates another of the attributes of God. God is true to His covenant promises to His people.
The Hebrew root word for faithful includes the idea of confirmation or proof. God always proves to be reliable when it comes to His relationship with us. The Bible verse in which this name of God appears links the name to God’s covenant reliability. According to Strong's Concordance, the root word behind this name is ’aman.
“At the heart of the meaning of the root is the idea of certainty.”
In the Greek Septuagint, the word "pistos" is translated as faithful and is defined as "believing, faithful, true, confiding, trusting, worthy of trust, reliable. Faithfulness comes from a place of trust and loyalty.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised). Hebrews 10:23
Looking for someone you can trust and put your confidence in? Look no further for the Lord your God is the only Faithful one whom you can trust. Faithfulness is an attribute of the one true God. He is reliable, stable, trustworthy, truthful and confidant.
We are to know without any doubt or second thought that the Lord our God is a covenant-keeping God. The Lord our God is indeed a faithful God. He has revealed His faithfulness throughout the ages and has never failed.
According to Paul Silway, "God’s faithfulness is the one constant in the equation. He is the Rock on which we stand".
Let us ascribe all greatness to our God the King of the kingdom of heaven and of the kingdoms of men. His work is perfect, and all His ways are just. We are to know that He is our God of faithfulness. He does not fail where men fail and does better where men fulfil. He is the incomparable God. He does what no man can do and does what pleases Him.
We are to KNOW without a shadow of turning that the eternal creator of heaven and earth, Who has locked Himself into an everlasting convent with humanity, is our Lord and God and that He is faithful and true in all that He says and in all that He has promised.
But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
Faithful is He that has promised... His faithfulness is forevermore!
The word faithful in Hebrew pretty much means the same thing it does today. It describes someone who always does the right thing even when no one else is looking. This person will always be truthful and true. They’re filled with integrity and will hold up their end of the deal no matter the sacrifice. The Lord is truthful and faithful.
The Hebrew word for Covenant is (berit/berith/beriyth) which means "covenant, treaty, compact, agreement between two parties". It comes from the root (Middle English 1300) word "covenaunt", from Old French covenant, convenant "agreement, pact, promise" (12c.), originally present participle of covenir "agree, meet," from Latin convenire "comes together, unite; be suitable, agree," from com- "together"
The Greek word (diatheke), usually translated as “covenant” in English versions of the Bible, is a legal term denoting a formal and legally binding declaration of benefits to be given by one party to another, with or without conditions attached.
When English readers see the word “covenant” in the Bible, it is important to bear this in mind, because the true sense is often missed if readers suppose that the word must refer to a reciprocal “agreement” or “contract.”
In this, there is already an expression of the fact that the covenant of God does not have the character of a contract between two parties, but rather that of a one-sided grant. This corresponds with the covenant-idea in the Old Testament, in which berith, even in human relations, sometimes refers to a one-party guarantee which a more favoured person gives a less favoured one (cf. Josh. 9:6, 15; 1 Sam. 11:1; Ezek. 17:13).
And it is most peculiarly true of the divine covenantal deed that it is a one-party guarantee. It comes not from man at all, but God alone. This does not rule out the fact, of course, that it involves religious and ethical obligation, namely that of faith and obedience (Gen. 17:9-10).
That New Testament concept points to salvation whose benefits are guaranteed by God and are given because in Christ and through Him the conditions of the covenant are fulfilled.
2 Timothy 2:13, NLT: "If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is."
He remains faithful, even when His people are not. This theme is consistent with God's faithfulness to His people Israel in the Old Testament. Though they often rejected Him, He continued to keep His promises to them. God cannot deny Himself but to keep loving and supporting us at all times. In times of trials, His covenant and faithfulness are with us. Even when we backslide, His banner over us is love and He will seek us by His Spirit of conviction and discipline to bring us back on track. What a faithful and loving Father?
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38–39).
God's covenant of faithfulness was sealed by the precious blood of His dear son Jesus Christ. This covenant remains unbroken and remains till eternity ends and starts all over again.
God's faithfulness and covenant with us as His redeemed, beloved and treasured children are His Word. It is everything He says about Himself to us in Scripture and every promise He gave to us in the Holy (Bible) Scriptures.
He is a covenant-keeping God, very faithful to the core!
According to our scriptural passage for today, God is determined to remain committed to His faithfulness and covenant of unimaginable and immeasurable blessings upon us as we continue to demonstrate our love to Him by Keeping and taking Him at His Word.
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24
It is so sweet to trust in Jesus because He is dependable, trustworthy, most reliable and truthful. He does not change because we changed. His faithfulness and covenant with us are everlasting to everlasting!
This year is your year of greater expectations because Jesus is determined to do far more than what you can think or imagine. Continue to show belief, faith and trust in Him and your expectations for this year will never be cut off! It is so sweet to trust in Jesus! Shalom Aleichem!
