Our Faithful God

He was late for church and slipped quietly into his regular place for Sunday morning worship. He listened as the pastor prayed: “We have left undone those things we ought to have done, and we have done those things we ought not to have done.” After a moment of silence he continued, “You know, Lord, I believe I’ve found my kind of people. I belong here.”

No one escapes failure but our Lord. Whatever He said He would do, He did. Whatever He has promised, He has or will fulfill – in the past, present and future.

The Bible contains about 5,000 promises. As the One who created the universe, all of its laws and living beings that are under His control and command, no one or no thing can stop Him from keeping His promises. “Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave,” said Solomon.

His compassion for His children never fails. His Son has experienced suffering and humiliation that is beyond us and has endured them with grace. So, He can be sympathetic with us in the deepest, darkest moments of our lives. Jeremiah reminds us that “His compassion never fails.”

Equally important is His faithfulness. He is not strong one day and weak the next, nor attentive one moment and indifferent the next. When He created us He did so with the knowledge that He would be faithful to us. Said the Psalmist, “I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness!”

Prayer: We thank You, Father, that we can trust You to honor Your Word to guard us, guide us and give us hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 89:33 Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail.

Father

Recognizing someone as “father” carries with it a very special significance. Immediately, and without doubt, the one who we call “father” is the one who is responsible for our being born. Without the one we call “father” we would not be in existence.

Because a “father” is responsible for our existence, he then becomes responsible for our well-being. Whatever concerns us must ultimately concern him. Whether it is food or clothing, shelter or healthcare, protection or education – it is his responsibility to meet that need. It is a role that is not to be taken lightly or without careful thought and planning.

There is more, however, than a responsibility factor. There is the relationship factor. This includes acceptance and openness, honesty and trust, a willingness to hear what is on the child’s heart and in the child’s mind. There must be loyalty and faithfulness between father and child.

One without the other leaves children lacking.

In Psalm 89 David said to God, “You are my Father, my God, the Rock – my Savior.” If an author were writing about David today he would probably say that “David led a charmed life.” He would look at the times he escaped his enemies, faced death, struggled with depression, and knew what abandonment was all about, could hardly face God because of His guilt, and knew the extreme pain of grief.

David, however, knew that it was not about “living a charmed life.” No. It was about a Father who not only provided for and loved His child – but became his Savior.

Prayer: We thank You, Lord, that You are our Father. We are humbled at Your love and care and our salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 89:26 He shall cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’

Above And Beyond

What’s the difference between the word “special” and the word “unique?”

The word “special” implies that someone or something surpasses or exceeds the usual or normal. It could refer to an athlete who excels in his or her particular sport and has done things differently or set records that will remain unbroken for many years. It might refer to a vehicle that has been modified to meet the specifications of an owner.

But the word “unique” implies something different. The word unique means that something or someone is the only one of its kind and has no rival. “It” is not only different, but incomparable and unparalleled.

Our God is certainly not an “it.” Our God is a Person and yet He certainly is unique. Our Psalmist brings this to our attention when he asks, “For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?”

Of course the answer he would give us is an answer we already know: No one! There is no sun or planet in the sky that is equal to Him. Then he adds that there is no “heavenly being” – none of the angels or holy ones – who inhabit heaven who can be compared to the Lord. Our God is above all and beyond all because He created all.

So what are we to do? We are to “greatly fear” Him and understand that He “is more awesome than all who surround Him.” Our “fear” of Him will create a “respect” for Him and when we recognize how “awesome” He is, we will worship in spirit and in truth, in love and humility.

Prayer: Gracious and loving Father, open our minds and hearts to Your greatness. May we worship You in love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 89:6 For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the Lord?

When God Does Not Answer

We pray and we persevere. We watch and we wonder. We wait and we become weary. We know that God is there – somewhere. He responded before. But where is He now? We stand before Him with great expectations and outstretched hands yet nothing is happening. We cannot help but ask why. He promised us that He would never leave us nor forsake us. Where is He when we need Him?

What happens when we pray and there is no answer? Listen to our Psalmist: “Why, O Lord, do You reject me and hide Your face from me?” He seems to have turned from confidence to confusion. This God whom he called upon constantly with outstretched arms and unflinching faith is nowhere to be found.

This happened to Jesus. In the Garden He cried, “If there is any other way than my death on the cross to save mankind, please make it known. Why, Father, can’t You come up with plan ‘B’?” And God was silent.

On the cross He said, “My God, my God, where are You? Why have You abandoned me? I am alone, suffering for something I didn’t do and now You’ve left me to be humiliated and suffer and die.” And God was silent.

The prayer of the Psalmist, much like the prayer of Jesus on the cross, does not end in resolution – like many of our prayers. But that does not mean that God does not hear or does not care and will never answer our requests.

Often when we pray for and do not get the results we ask for, God is quietly saying: “You may not get what you asked for. Just trust me. What I have planned for you is far better.”

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to know that You are at work in our lives completing the plan You have designed for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 88:14 Lord, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me?

How To Begin Each Day

The day began with sunshine, blue skies and gentle breezes. The deep blue waters were calm and peaceful. A lovely new sailing vessel rocked slowly from side to side as the passengers walked around the deck. Each one had been personally met by the captain who greeted them with a smile, a handshake and the words, “Welcome aboard!” They felt confident with him as their commander.

Soon after the ship set sail, a storm appeared on the horizon. Angry waves soon swept over the sides of the ship and the passengers were forced to go below where they were safe from the winds and waters. In fact, the captain was tied to the bridge so he would not be swept overboard. The ship was no longer a place of serenity but of fear and worry.

Finally, one of the passengers, overcoming his fear and anxiety, decided that he would climb from beneath the deck to see if the captain was still alive. He crawled up the stairs, opened the hatch and saw a sight that steadied his nerves and calmed his racing heart. Returning to the frightened passengers he shouted, “Everything’s fine. I saw the face of the Captain, looked into his eyes and realized we were safe with him at the helm.”

“In the morning,” prayed the Psalmist, “my prayer comes before you.” What a wise way to begin every day. If we go to the Lord before we are in a storm we can depend on His presence when we are engulfed by a storm. With His arms around us and His strength to sustain us, we will surely be able to face life’s storms with confidence.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to realize that whatever we need to face the challenges of life is available through You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 88:13b And in the morning my prayer comes before You.