Understanding Faithfulness

ADVERSITY cannot dominate you when you’re faithful, but it can control you when you allow it.

It tried to rule Paul’s life, but he said:

For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

However, challenges controlled Elijah when he heard that Jezebel was after his life, and he felt alone.

When he got to Horeb, he stayed in a cave, but God came looking for him. However, he told God that he had done everything by the book.

DOES this sound like you? You've done everything by the book, and the enemy is still after you.

You had a great story, a beautiful home and a thriving business. You’ve been good to strangers, friends and family, and God has blessed you.

However, something happened: the business you built ran into a speed bump, and you lost your place in the workplace and at home.

Your spouse has threatened to leave, and when you asked what you did wrong, they told you to find out for yourself. You do not know what to do.

Weeping may endure the night, but laughter comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)

Like David, prepare to recover all. (1 Samuel 30:8)

JUST when Elijah felt everything that could go wrong had gone wrong, God called his name.

But God was not in the wind, he wasn't in the earthquake, nor was he in the fire. God spoke in a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:9-18)

GOD came to him, telling him how to respond to his situation.

He will come to you, but if you want to hear him in adversity, you'll need to step away from the noise.

Faithfulness

Noise may not be a distraction when you pray, but it's distracting when you listen.

If we are faithless, He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)

‘Faithfulness is the bridge between the promise and the outcome.’

GOD didn't want him to minimize his scars because they told a story.

Paul understood not minimizing one’s scars when he said, Touch me not, because upon me, I bear the mark of Christ. (John 20:17)

‘God does not want you to minimize your scars.’

GOD met Elijah in his dark moment; His word became a lamp to his feet, and a light unto his path. (Psalm 119:105)

Elijah understood it was a personal walk. He understood intimacy with God.

FAITHFULNESS is God’s nature—he is the only constant in every season of life. So, if you want to be like him, you must be faithful.

The vigour of our spiritual life will be in exact proportion to the place held by the Bible in our life and thoughts." - George Müller.

David knew the importance of God’s Word. (Psalm 119:11)

NO WONDER he was diligent in watching over his father’s flock. He learnt to be faithful in secret.

And when the bear came after the sheep, he smote it, and when the lion snuck into the sheepcote, he killed it. (1 Samuel 17:34-36)

I BELIEVE God does more in the background than in the foreground. So, it's not surprising that he rewards what you do in secret.

God, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you in the open. (Matthew 6:6-7)

When his father, Jesse, forgot him, God remembered him and changed the season of his life. If you want God to change your season, be faithful.

FAITHFULNESS is a spiritual marker; it time-stamps your life.

He who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much; and he who is dishonest in a very little thing is also dishonest in much. (Luke 16:10)

‘Faithfulness is a spiritual marker.’

FAITHFULNESS is a unit of measurement.

Since you are a steward in service, it is required [as essential and demanded] of stewards that one be found faithful and trustworthy. (1 Corinthians 4:2)

GOD responds to faithfulness.

When Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace, God not only saved them but also joined them in the fire.

The king had a revelation of God. He said, “Look! I see four men untied, walking around in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt! And the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” (Daniel 3:8-25)

God will stand by you when you stand by Him, and rescue you from the hands of the enemy.

Final Thoughts

UNTIL every moment you live is to please Him, you cannot say you're faithful. To be faithful is to give Him pleasure.

GOD will not be used as a convenience. Men or nations who think they can revive the faith to make a good society might just as well think they can use the stairs of heaven as a shortcut to the nearest chemist's shop—CS Lewis.