“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’
Matthew 25:23
You cry out, “Why doesn’t the LORD accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why! Because the LORD witnessed the vows you and your wife made when you were young. But you have been unfaithful to her, though she remained your faithful partner, the wife of your marriage vows.
Malachi 2:14
Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song. Sing his praises in the assembly of the faithful.2 O Israel, rejoice in your Maker. O people of Jerusalem,[*] exult in your King. 3 Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp. 4 For the LORD delights in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. 5 Let the faithful rejoice that he honours them. Let them sing for joy as they lie on their beds. 6 Let the praises of God be in their mouths, and a sharp sword in their hands— 7 to execute vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, 8 to bind their kings with shackles and their leaders with iron chains, 9 to execute the judgment written against them. This is the glorious privilege of his faithful ones. Praise the LORD!
Psalm 149
This morning it has struck me anew how much emphasis Jesus puts on being faithful. Faithful in work, in relationships, in praise, in the day time and at night - His penetrating gaze is on us.
At the end of the day, at the judgement seat of the Lord, what will count is "have I been faithful?"
God in essence is faithful in every respect. If He promises, He delivers. If He says He will never leave us or forsake us, I can bank on it.
As His children, He wants to remake us in His image. So, through the fire of trials, He will burn off the unfaithful parts of us. That's why James says we should rejoice in the trials we go through. God, by the Holy Spirit is bringing about a change in our nature, to reflect the faithfulness of the Lord.
God knows how I have let Him down and been unfaithful to Him in so many ways, but, as a loving Father, He has continued His faithfulness to me.
If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
2 Timothy 2:13
So what's to do? Wallow in self pity and give up? No! not at all - I pick myself up, dust myself down and keep going forwards. Believe that Jesus can change me and create in me a faithful heart - one that is true and faithful to Him.
David knew what it was to fail the Lord and yet the Lord restored him and brought him close again. We too can join in his prayer:
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 51:10
Comments