No Matter What Lies Ahead, God Is Faithful

Life can throw us unexpected challenges. Whether it’s problems at work, a strained relationship, an illness or loss – most of us will face difficulties in life. In hard times, we may wonder ‘Where is God now?’

but the Bible promises us that no matter what lies ahead, God is faithful and will see us through – just as he has done for his people throughout history.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: The Bible provides many verses and stories showing how God remains faithful in all circumstances. His plans are perfect and he works all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). We can trust him completely.

God’s Faithfulness in Scripture

God Keeps His Promises

Throughout the Bible, God demonstrates that He is a promise-keeping God who remains faithful to His word. When He makes a covenant with His people, He binds Himself to fulfilling what He has pledged to do.

For example, in Genesis 12, God promises Abram (later Abraham) that He will make him into a great nation, bless those who bless him and curse those who treat him with contempt. Centuries later, Abraham’s descendants, the Israelites, become a numerous people whom God delivers out of slavery in Egypt after hearing their cries (Exodus 2:23-25).

Another example is the Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7:8-16, where God promises King David that his throne and kingdom will remain established forever. This comes to fruition in Jesus Christ, the Messiah who rules an eternal Kingdom (Luke 1:32-33).

Though David’s descendants later face God’s judgment for their unfaithfulness, God preserves the royal line so that His promise to David stands despite his descendants’ failures. God keeps His word faithfully even when people falter.

God’s Plans Are Unfailing

In Scripture, God unveils His magnificent plans that span human history. His purposes remain unfrustrated and unfailing despite opposition from sinful humanity. An example is God’s promise of salvation first hinted at in Genesis 3:15, where He declares that the offspring of the woman will crush the serpent’s head.

This finds fulfillment thousands of years later when Jesus achieves victory over Satan’s schemes through his death and resurrection (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Another example is God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham and his offspring (Genesis 12:3; 22:18). The prophets foretell how this comes to pass when people from every tribe and language turn to worship the God of Israel in the last days (e.g Isaiah 2:2-4; Zechariah 8:20-23).

Despite repeated rebellion against God, He relentlessly pursues His purposes in human history until His plans are completed.

God is With Us in Suffering

Even when God’s people undergo intense adversity, Scripture reminds believers of God’s faithfulness and His sustaining presence in the midst of suffering. For instance, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego face death for refusing to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image (Daniel 3:8-18).

Yet God miraculously delivers them, validating their trust in Him alone to rescue them while demonstrating that He remains with His people through fiery ordeals.

Similarly, after the Persian official Haman plots to destroy the entire Jewish population, God works through Queen Esther to save her people from demise (Esther 7:1-10). As the book of Esther famously declares, “relief and deliverance will arise from another place” (4:14) if God chooses to act in this manner.

Despite overwhelming threats, God preserves His people, proving that He keeps His covenant loyalty even amidst great adversity.

What Does it Mean That God is Faithful?

God’s faithfulness means that He keeps His promises and is reliable in all circumstances. Though we are often unfaithful, God remains faithful to His people. His faithfulness is seen in three key ways:

He Keeps His Covenant

A covenant is a binding agreement between two parties. When God makes a covenant, He solemnly binds Himself to fulfill His promises. The most well-known covenant is with Abraham in Genesis 12, when God promised to make Abraham a great nation.

Despite Abraham’s mistakes, God remained faithful to this covenant throughout the Old Testament. God also made a new covenant through Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20), promising redemption from sin and eternal life to all who believe in Him. Because God is faithful, He will always keep His covenants.

He Forgives Sins

No matter how many times we mess up, God is willing to forgive us when we repent and turn to Him. Psalms 86:5 says, “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).

He removes our transgressions from us, as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). We can always rely on God’s faithfulness to forgive.

He Finishes His Work in Us

God is working to make us more like Christ every day. As Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Though we often stumble, the Lord promises to complete His sanctifying work if we walk with Him.

He is patient and persistent, never giving up on us. He will remain faithful to perfect us in His image and prepare us for eternity with Him.

In every circumstance, we can trust that God will keep His promises and complete His plans. No matter what lies ahead, we can cling to the faithfulness of the unchanging Lord of all creation!

How Can We Trust in God’s Faithfulness?

Remember His Track Record

God has shown His faithfulness to His people throughout history. From the Old Testament stories of the Exodus and the nation of Israel, to the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ, to the testimonies of believers through the centuries, God has demonstrated time and again that He can be trusted.

When we reflect on how God has proven His faithfulness in the past, it strengthens our confidence that He will remain faithful in the future.

Here are some examples of God’s faithfulness that we can recall:

• God kept His promise to Abraham to make his descendants into a great nation (Genesis 12:2).
• Even when the Israelites turned away, God remained committed to His covenant with them (Psalm 105:8).
• Jesus fulfilled hundreds of prophecies about the Messiah recorded in the Old Testament scriptures (Luke 24:27).
• God has preserved His Word and sustained His Church even through intense persecution throughout history.
• Countless believers have testified to God’s faithfulness in their lives – providing, protecting, and guiding them.

As the old hymn says, “Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!” Remembering God’s track record of faithfulness can give us confidence that He who has been faithful in the past will be faithful to us today and tomorrow.

Pray and Read Scripture

Two primary ways we can strengthen our trust in God’s faithfulness are through prayer and reading His Word in the Bible. Praying helps us connect intimately with God, bringing our cares, concerns and needs before Him.

As we present our requests and give thanks, we are reminded of how involved God is in our lives. Over time, answered prayers build our faith in His unwavering love and reliability. Reading the Bible also reminds us of God’s steadfast ways and gives us hope that He will continue to act on our behalf.

Passages like Lamentations 3:22-23 saying God’s mercies “are new every morning” and Hebrews 13:8 declaring “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” reinforce God’s dependable character.

Here are some tips for praying and reading Scripture to rely on God’s faithfulness:

• Set aside regular time each day to pray and read the Bible.
• Write down prayer requests and record when God answers them.
• Study Bible stories showcasing God’s faithfulness throughout history.
• Meditate on and memorize uplifting Scripture verses about God’s trustworthiness.
• Join a small group Bible study for encouragement and to learn with others.

Making prayer and Scripture engagement daily habits will help us remember that the God who was faithful yesterday can be trusted today and tomorrow as well.

Rely On Him Daily

Living out trust in God’s faithfulness is an ongoing process. Each new day presents opportunities to rely on the Lord rather than our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). As we go through everyday life facing both blessings and hardships, consciously depending on God increases our confidence in His reliability.

Here are practical ways we can rely on God’s faithfulness daily:

• Begin each morning by surrendering control to God in prayer.
• Make decisions prayerfully, considering biblical principles.
• Thank God for providing daily needs like relationships, abilities and resources.
• Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance to apply biblical truth.
• Trust God’s perfect timing even when eager for answers.

At times when we feel distant from God or doubt His involvement, recalling specific examples of His faithfulness in our lives can provide much needed encouragement. Though our feelings fluctuate, God remains steadfast.

The more we actively rely on Him each day, the more we experience His faithful consistency. Every act of trust builds a track record with God that strengthens our faith in His goodness and enduring faithfulness.

Conclusion

No matter what unexpected twists and turns come our way, we can anchor ourselves to the solid truth that God is faithful. He will never leave or abandon us. As we walk with him daily, reading his word, communing in prayer and relying on his Spirit, he promises to complete the good work he began in us.

We have hope because our faithful God holds our lives and eternal future in his hands.