Even the best of us, no matter how well-intentioned, have come up short. We have failed to follow through on a promise we made to a friend or a loved one – albeit unintentional. We have missed a deadline at work or school – due to circumstances beyond our control. Three days into a new year we have broken that new year’s resolution that we made so earnestly. Or the one that hurts the most of all – we have done something or said something – or failed to do something or say something – that brought pain to someone we hold dear. We didn’t mean to hurt them or break our promise. We didn’t mean to not deliver on our commitment. We didn’t mean to be unfaithful … but we were!
As a result, we have broken a trust. At best, we have planted a seed in the minds – and hearts – of others that we are unreliable, undependable – or worse, untrustworthy. At worst, we have shattered a relationship due to our failure or neglect. A reputation of faithfulness and trustworthiness is built over a lifetime … but it can be destroyed in a solitary moment.
The reality is that we live in uncertain times. Though 2020 may hold some distinction in history for its many challenges, it’s not alone. Those who have gone before us also experienced their own unique challenges. And none of us – from the beginning of creation – have ever known what tomorrow might bring.
In the midst of that uncertainty, we all look for someone – or something – in whom, or in which, we can place our trust. Some of us place our trust in our finances … or our success … or ourselves. Some place their trust in government. Many of us place our trust in friends or family. It is those people or “things” that provide consistency and assurance in our lives when everything else is spinning out of control. When that unexpected illness attacks, or we are blindsided by the loss of a job or an unplanned expense, or the sorrow of tragedy or loss – we turn to those people or “things” for comfort and assurance.
But tragedy and loss are compounded when we suddenly realize that those, or that, on which we are depending are also fallible and unfaithful. Finances can prove to be insufficient, success can be fleeting, and our own abilities can be inadequate. Friends and family – though well-intentioned – can be distracted by their own challenges or incapable of providing us with the care or support we need. Or in some instances, they may choose to withhold that support. We then find ourselves in that place of desperation with nowhere to turn and no one to whom we can turn.
And here’s the thing – everything and everyone – no matter how hard we all try – will at some point disappoint – and at some point prove to be unfaithful – because our capability will fall short of the need or expectation.
But there is One who will NEVER disappoint. There is One who will NEVER be inadequate or incapable. There is One who will NEVER be unfaithful.
My favorite psalm is Psalm 37. In his old age David was thinking back over the times in his life when everything and everyone around him had failed him, when he wrote this psalm. He had experienced attack by “evildoers” or “wrongdoers”. He had seen the grass fade, and the herbs wither. Evil and wickedness had given the appearance they were winning. The poor and needy had seemingly had no place to turn. Death and disease appeared to have had the upper hand. There was no earthly remedy on which he could rely.
But there was One who had proven Himself to be reliable. There was only One who had ALWAYS proven Himself to be trustworthy. There was only One through whom there was the absolute guarantee of a future and a hope.
David wrote:
Trust in Him and feed on His faithfulness.(1)
Delight yourself in Him for He is able to give you the desires of your heart.(2)
Commit your way to Him and He will act.(3)
Be still before Him and wait for Him.(4)
He upholds you in His hand.(5)
David went on to bear witness in his old age, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or His children begging for bread.”(6) Never in all of his years had David seen God be unfaithful – and he never would. He knew that it was against God’s very nature for Him to be unfaithful.
God is the very definition of faithful. The apostle Paul wrote, “He who calls you IS faithful.”(7) He is trustworthy. Sometimes in our desire to be faithful and trustworthy, we are limited by our own capability. But God has NO limitations. There is nothing beyond His power, His knowledge or His ability. He is never surprised – there is nothing beyond His sight or awareness.
Regardless of what you are walking through or how bleak your circumstances may be right now, do not lose hope! God has NEVER been unfaithful. Allow Him time to reveal His faithfulness to you. The day WILL come – just like it did for David – that you will look back and praise Him for His absolute faithfulness. He will NOT disappoint. God will NEVER be unfaithful!
He’s Always Been Faithful
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me
Morning by morning I wake up to find
The power and comfort of God's hand in mine
Season by season I watch Him, amazed
In awe of the mystery of His perfect ways
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me.
I can't remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain
I can't remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand
All I have need of, His hand will provide
He's always been faithful to me.
This is my anthem, this is my song
The theme of the stories I've heard for so long
God has been faithful, He will be again
His loving compassion, it knows no end
All I have need of, His hand will provide He's always been faithful, He's always been faithful
He's always been faithful to me.
Songwriters: Sara Groves / Thomas O. Chisholm / William M. Runyan
He's Always Been Faithful lyrics © Hope Publishing Company
Sara Groves: He’s Always Been Faithful
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(1) Psalm 37:3
(2) Psalm 37:4
(3) Psalm 37:5
(4) Psalm 37:7
(5) Psalm 37:23-24
(6) Psalm 37:25
(7) 1 Thessalonians 5:24
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