Faithfulness

What is faithfulness? You can find this word at least 91 times in scripture. There are variations of the Greek translation of this word, but one that stands out to me is pistis.

Pistis was used by Paul in the book of Romans chapter 3 where he is talking about the faithlessness of people. He declares even if some have no faith, that (faithlessness) will not jeopardize the faithfulness of God.

What is faith? What is being faithful?

Interestingly in the 91 times of this word occurring in Scripture most often it is related to the faithfulness of God and not that of man. Isn't it amazing how intricately woven throughout this masterful work of art, The Bible.. His love-letter to us, is a constant reminder of who He is.

Constancy is a reflection of faithfulness. He is constant.

Unchanging, another image that reveals His faithfulness. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He never changes.

Righteous. He can not lie ( Rom 3:4) He is incapable of falsehood and can have no part in it, therefore what He says, is righteous.


The hymn " Great is thy Faithfulness" by Thomas Chisholm was written in 1923. The author wrote it to declare the amazing grace of God through is unending mercy. The scripture reference is one so dear to my heart. Lamentations 3:22-23. He writes of the glorious gift of a new mercy each morning, of the faithful light of His love over us and of the one truth we can know is constant.

Not just his Love, Not just his grace, not just the gift of salvation but a prevailing faithfulness that will not end. Psalm 117:2 tells us His faithfulness endures forever.

Not only is it constant, unchanging and righteous, but it is shield ( Psalm 91) and a blessed covering over us.

In my own walk I find that my faithfulness has been faulty but He is faultless.

Over a week ago, my heart was burdened as I had to watch my daughter endure the weight of a chronic illness. Her strength and steadfastness reminded me of the faithfulness of God. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Faith-full-ness. ful is a suffix, ness is also a suffix. A suffix adds to the base of the word by changing it's original meaning. ful and ness confer a state of being. So, if we were to define the word by it's syntax it would mean full of faith, right?

If we can not please God w/o faith, and it is with faith that we seek Him, will He not also stand by His word and reward us? Oh, so sweet to trust in Him, we can take Him at His word. Doesn't the Bible say that He is the giver of all good gifts? (James 1:17)

Back to my amazing daughter.... as I allowed my heart to be burdened by fear and a deferred hope, she sweetly ministered to my heart. She blessed me with a faith that is not built by any Sunday School lesson or sermon. Her faith is in her Savior. Her faith rests in a true relationship with the author of Love, Hope and Peace. She can smile and have joy because it is filled from above. She rests securely in the arms of grace and mercy and knows what faithfulness means w/o words. What a treasure to be her mom. She has taught me much about strength and perseverance.

Humbly we seek His truth, patiently He waits for us to hear His voice and to know the touch of His hand. Wonderfully He walks us through every valley, over every hill, around each boulder and victoriously He will bring us to the end. Philippians 1:6 says that He will perfect that which He began in us and whether or not my daughter experiences freedom this side of glory doesn't change who He is. It will never diminish the praise He deserves nor lessen the awesome beauty of His faithfulness. And that is where I see the miracle.

In my own lack of faith, He is unchanged and His love is ever constant. His light shines in the darkness of my own heart and reminds me that He is always enough, He is always with us, He will speak to us in the quiet places, in the rushing waters, in the hurts of life and the sweet joys. We can choose to embrace that and see the change made when we allow Him to walk beside us, carry us through... or we can lose the gift when we choose to do it w/o him.

Read through this hymn and let it minister to your heart. Meditate on His faithfulness and let his strength and hope be renewed in your spirit!

"Great is Thy faithfulness,"

O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not,

Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
"Great is Thy faithfulness!"

"Great is Thy faithfulness!"

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed

Thy hand hath provided—

"Great is Thy faithfulness,"

Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter,

and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Blessings to you! ( + 10,000 more. )