Recently, I was blessed to witness a mighty move of God – prayers that had gone forth for more than three years were being answered, and I was amazed (not that God had answered but how He answered). While I always knew God was at work, it was difficult to grasp while living through the night season. But the Lord allowed me to “see” what He had been doing while I was in the dark. He is going to do more, but the changes I witnessed were dramatic, and I rejoiced.
I also saw how God worked through several unrelated situations, including my eye surgery, all of which positioned me to be in a place to “see” just how faithful the Lord had been during the journey.
As I rejoiced, I reflected on the arduous process and how nothing about what was happening easily displayed God’s faithfulness. But His faithfulness was there and is always deeply interwoven in all aspects of our lives, including the harshest times.
Sometimes, we misunderstand and inaccurately define God’s faithfulness as being evident only when life is treating us well. We count God as being faithful when He turns back the hands of sickness, disease, or death. We call God faithful when He comes the moment we cry out for help, swiftly whisking away any hint of trouble. Yes, He expresses His faithfulness in those moments.
But His faithfulness equally abounds when life’s troubles surround us and sweep us off of hopeful feet that the darkness we are in wouldn’t be. His faithfulness directs all things.
The nation of Israel couldn’t “see” the faithfulness of God during the 400-year fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham’s descendants (when Isaac was only a promise at the time) would be afflicted as servants for 400 years. The Lord was faithful in it all. Not one of His precious promises was skipped – even as horrific as the process was, each and every promise was kept. The faithfulness of God presents itself time and again; regardless of the test/trial/difficulty/journey, it is there.
God was faithful to Joseph during his seasons in the pit, Potiphar’s house, prison, and the palace. God didn’t allow life’s drama to drown him.
Sometimes, it takes looking back to see the intensity of His faithfulness. In recent devotionals, I discussed the Hebrew boys being thrown in the furnace. God was faithful to see them through what should have killed them. I know you can relate to looking back on life and seeing God’s hand. You shouldn’t have survived, but God was faithful.
I thought about Hagar and Ishmael being forced to leave the land of their familiar. They’d run out of water. Their demise seemed imminent. But miraculously, God intervened. He was faithful to keep them.
I considered Joshua and Caleb. They’d done everything right – they spoke up in faith, they encouraged all to trust God and go forth. Yet, they were shot down by the masses and had to wander around the wilderness for 40 years, like their counterparts. But God was faithful in all of that. He kept His promise to Joshua and Caleb. They weren’t wandering but waiting, knowing God promised them they would possess Canaan. Their faith in God kept them living as those around them perished.
The faithfulness of God is at work in what you’re going through despite the atrocities of the hour. You don’t “see” it now because the pain of the moment is at the forefront – but the faithfulness of God is at work in your life right now!
I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Psalm 119:75 (KJV)
5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Job 42:5 (KJ)
In the Master’s Service,
Pastor/Author Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)