The faithfulness of God is part of His character. 1 Corinthians 1:9 reads, “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 also says, “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” God has a purpose for each of His children and He will fulfill His plan for you. This is an incredible promise for each of us to take into the New Year!
In Isaiah chapter 43, God gives Israel His promise to protect them even while they were unfaithful to God. They are disciplined several times for their actions against God, yet God’s love remains true. He reminds them in Isaiah 43:1 that they are still able to rely upon his protection, “But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel, ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!”
We have not witnessed the parting of a sea, but every moment God’s hand and direction is guiding our lives – if we open our eyes to see. How often have you been pleasantly surprised as you have noticed God’s work in your life? All successes, no matter how small or large, are because of His work and His faithfulness.
Picture this scene. A major shopping warehouse parking lot. Crowded to an all-time high, seemingly ten cars for every one space available. You drive your car, scoping out people loading their trunks, turn your blinker on, and patiently wait for someone to back out. Just as you begin to turn into the spot you have waited for, a car comes from the opposite direction and whizzes ahead of you taking the space. What’s your reaction? Then, you drive down the next row of parking and come upon the back-up lights of a truck. Score! Your blinker is activated and you wait for this vehicle to back out so you can finally park. Just as you are readying to pull into the now empty space, you see headlights coming through from the opposite side. It is getting a bit more difficult to maintain composure and think nice thoughts…prayer is necessary and constant
Okay. Drive down the next isle, eyes peeled for any sign of an opening parking space. You spot one ahead. Once again, the blinker is switched on as you wait for a car to back out so you can stop playing this game which is no longer fun. The car pulls out and, no kidding, someone comes from the opposite direction and quickly pulls into the exact place you were patiently waiting for. To add insult to injury, the car has a very large sticker on it proclaiming Christ as Lord. You cringe, you feel the fight against the natural man inside of you. But, still able to maintain a low blood pressure internally all because of God’s work pummeling the flesh, you drive around one more time and low and behold the place behind the truck that had pulled through in front of you several minutes ago is still available. Yes! You pull in the parking place and notice two carts at the corner in front of the driver’s side. No problem, there is plenty of room in your small car to park and not have the carts be a problem. Whew, made it and no injuries have occurred. Even your thoughts have been taken captive by Truth. However you are already exhausted. Take a deep breath and let’s get this done. Ignition is turned off and you proceed to exit the car.
Then, the person who had been sitting in the truck which was now parked in front of you gets out of their vehicle, walks to the driver side of your car, pulls the carts half way down the space and you think, that’s nice they are going to remove the carts. But, instead of removing the carts, they loosen one from the other, leave the second six inches from your driver door blocking it and walk away! In each of these situations the test is real. I am weak but God remains faithful to my desire to respond correctly. What I want to do and how I want to feel is checked by His work in my life. I am so very aware of a battle.
It doesn’t end here. Now I am finally in line to return a few items. This is a long line, out the door, in the biting cold, slow as molasses kind of line. It is okay. I stand there with my cart and items, wishing I had worn a jacket, and the woman in front of me tells me I need each item tagged first which is a different line. Smile, she offers to stand with my cart as I go get my two items stickered. Thank you Lord for others’ show of kindness. I return and the line has grown increasingly long in that short time. Then from out of nowhere someone appears in front of me who was not previously in line. Oh well, this is that kind of day. A pleasant conversation between us helps to pass some time and quell my frustration. I then notice an individual walking hurriedly from the parking lot, and they gracefully slip right in front of me without saying a word. I figure at this rate I’ll never get to the register. But, I am kept in check by something much bigger than myself – God’s work in my flesh. A voice in my head is repeating, ‘be careful of your words and actions’.
So, at this point I am praising God for these small tests and His faithful love, really trying to concentrate on the things that truly matter. But we still are not done! The person I had been having a conversation with (and who cut in line from the left earlier) now notices the person who had cut in from the right. She tells this individual that they belong in the back of the line. She is ignored. The person then loudly asks those in front of her to verify that someone cut in the line and should go to the back. She looks at me and tries to include me in pointing out this wrongdoing. For a split moment there is tension building among several people as she asks specifically for my response. Oh boy, I am now thinking that staying home would have been a better plan for this morning. But, God is faithful in His work in His children’s lives. Seriously, I do not feel very saintly. My flesh at this point would feel good about swinging my purse around and knocking some people out. But, I have never been involved in a brawl and do not desire to make the newspaper headlines. Instead I hear these words coming from my mouth for those around me to hear as I address the situation, “This is a good opportunity to show God’s grace”. I’m thinking I personally needed to be reminded of what was truly important. Thank you Lord for your work in this sinner’s life, for your testing and opportunity to focus on what matters – You, Your faithfulness, Your gift, Your glory in a fallen world. Situation avoided, everyone becomes silent.
Isaiah 43:2 is God’s promise to His children, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, or will the flame burn you”. God will protect His children, sin does not need to take hold. His faithfulness and His majesty are greater. His glory is our story. It is all about Him.
Isaiah 43:10-11 says, “You are My witnesses,” declares the Lord. “And My servant whom I have chosen, in order that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed, and there will be none after Me.” “I, even I, am the Lord; and there is no savior besides Me”.
As the New Year approaches we are able to look forward to God’s care and faithfulness. His promises are real and there is hope in Him for the future.
Isaiah 34:18 tells us, “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert”.
God has always been faithful. He does not change. Faithfulness is part of His character. His children can expect His protection and power to shine forth in their lives, even through testing, whether it be in the daily tasks of life or in significant tragedy. God’s grace and mercy are new every morning.
Lamentations 3:22-23 reads, “The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. [They] are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.
Because of God’s faithfulness in His children’s lives, there is great hope in the New Year to shine God’s glory! Focus Heavenward with me, Sharyn.
