"Great Is Thy Faithfulness"

I bet you’ve heard it said countless times, whether in testimonies, wor­ship songs, sermons, or elsewhere:  “God is faithful.”  But I wonder how often Christians are clear on what this phrase really means.  It seems that believers tend to say “God is faithful” when things go well and their prayers are answered in the hoped-for way.  But are we able to say “God is faithful” when everything’s falling apart?

Let’s get to the biblical roots of the expression:  “But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21-23).  This cry of hope rings out amidst Jeremiah’s heavy lament:  the people are sinful and God’s judgment is sure … but justice will not be his last word.

Thomas Chisholm had this passage in mind in 1923 when he wrote the much-loved hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”:  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 will be. God “changest not”—he’s always faithful and true to his character.  He keeps his word and fulfills his promises.  You can count on him.

This truth reverberates throughout the Bible:  “No temptation has over­taken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Cor 10:13; see also 1 Cor 1:9; 2 Tim 2:13; Deut 7:9).  So God’s faithfulness isn’t a guarantee to insulate us from adversity, but it’s his trustworthy presence to sustain us so we can “endure it.”

When Jim Rhodes preached at Goshen (on May 29—you can listen at goshenbaptist.org), he highlighted this truth.  Jim is in a serious battle with cancer, so is God being faithful to him?  He said YES.  God is faithful to be with us (Heb 13:5) in the valley and not necessarily to prevent us from going there.  God is faithful to his promises—such as work­ing all things together for the good of his people (Rom 8:28).  But, of course, our Eternal Father reserves the right, in his wise love, to decide just how and when to bring resolution to our trials—how much here and now, and how much when we see him in glory.