Faithful (By Chris Barnes)

​The writer of Chronicles needed to explain the failure of Israel as a kingdom. So the writer started and ended his narrative by describing the unfaithfulness of Israel’s rulers:
So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. He failed to obey the Lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium. (1 Chronicles 10:13)

Likewise, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful. They followed all the pagan practices of the surrounding nations, desecrating the Temple of the Lord that had been consecrated in Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 36:14)

Over and over again, Israel’s prophets, priests and the people became more and more unfaithful. God’s people longed for someone to rule over them who would not chase after idols, who would persevere in loving God’s law, who would rule with righteousness that would last. But of course no human has the power to be that faithful.

That’s why we need Jesus. He is the faithful leader that people of God have always longed for. In fact, at the end of history, in the book of Revelation, Jesus is called by the name – Faithful. “Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war” (Revelation 19:11).

Jesus is faithful even to those who are repeatedly unfaithful to him. “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful” (2 Timothy 2:13). But he also empowers us by his Spirit to become faithful like he is. “The fruit of the Spirit is…….faithfulness” (Galatians 5: 22). It’s his faithfulness at work in us that will allow us to enjoy hearing Him one day say to us: “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 25:21). And when we doubt that this will ever happen, we remember, “The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5: 24).

How great is thy faithfulness of our God!

Prayer – Faithful and True, I am holding on to your promise that you will keep me strong to the end so that I will be blameless on the day when you bring everything into the light. How I long to hear your “well done” on that day. It’s your Spirit at work in me that makes me confident that day will surely come. Lord, help me to be more faithful to you.

Song: Great is thy Faithfulness