You know when you feel that you've "mastered" an area of faith exercise and God puts you back through it as if to say "do it again, you still don't understand". Well that is how it usually is for me, but I think that this time though I really will pass (smile!). There are plenty of biblical themes that express God's devotion to the faithful--those for whom God protects, loves and provides. There is the time that young Joshua is charged with being courageous in the face of Moses’ recent death and the Israelites quest into the Promised Land (see Deuteronomy 31:1-8). He is worried that his influence is not as great as Moses', but God steps in and lets him know that he will be with him just as he was with Moses. There is the time when young Solomon is ready to assume the throne of Israel, but just as his David father is about to go off the scene he charges his son to trust in God’s everlasting providence (see 1 Chronicles 28:20). Solomon is faced with filling the shoes of the "man after God's own heart", but is reassured by his father that getting to know the Lord intimately will lead to success. And as I mentioned before, there are endless examples of those that put their trust in God and were not forsaken. God's word has been around for ages upon ages--since before creation. It is a nice notion to think that God won't forsake me because he loves me so much—this is true. However, I think the broader picture is that his word which has been established for so long has never been broken—and cannot be broken. There isn’t anywhere in Scripture that you can find God going back on what he promised or said. So in light of that fact, the more accurate way I thought to look at God was that he has remained faithful to his word all throughout time, which makes him faithful to me and the rest of his children that obey his word. Here is the example I will use to illustrate this principle. The law of gravity has certain principles that must be adhered to because if you drive or push something off a ledge then the object will fall to the ground. The law of gravity doesn't decide to kick in or work when you decide to test it. It works all of the time whether you are around to witness it or not. Well how much more is the creator of the universe and all his laws at work all the time? God is protecting and watching over his word to perform it even when you and I are asleep (see Jeremiah 1:12)! Those that choose to follow God's word fully and walk after him see that he performs what his word promises. Although he’s made specific promises to you and me, he has timelessly honored his spoken word. We happen to be partakers of the blessings of that fulfillment when we seek out what his word says and we apply those truths to our daily lives. So getting back to the title, I had to look at where I had been putting my trust--God wanted me to see that he doesn't honor his word for the sake of man but for his name sake.
Today’s Prayer
Dear God allow me to trust your word that has stood for ages. Give me the courage to walk by faith in despite the many obstacles that I may face. Help me to know that you will honor your word always.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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