FEBRUARY 5, 2010

GOD IS FAITHFUL

Scripture Reading--Psalm 78:42-55, 65-72

The 72 verses of Psalm 78 remind us of Israel's unfaithfulness. they turned their backs on God and refused to walk in His ways. They repeatedly forgot what God had done for them. They sinned against Him, defied Him, and even spoke against Him. They doubted Him. They lusted. They lied to Him. They provoked and grieved Him. There wasn't much more they could have done to break God's heart. In Deuteronomy 7:6, God said, "For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth" ( emphasis added ). Israel held a special place in God's heart, buy they were unfaithful.

Of course, they paid a price for their rebellion and sin. But through all of their unfaithfulness, God was faithful. Was God good to them because they deserved it? Of course not. He was good to them because He is God! In His mercy, He did not give them what they deserved. And in His grace, He gave them what they could never have deserved.

Are you always faithful to God? Remember, if you are a born-again Christian, you, too, are special to God. You have every reason to be faithful as you consider all God has done for you. But if you are like most Christians, you struggle with being faithful. God expects you to be faithful. "Moreover is is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" ( 1 Cor. 4:2, emphasis added ).

What if you aren't faithful? Will your faithfulness change God? Not at all! Second Timothy 2:13 says, "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself" ( emphasis added ). One of God's wonderful attributes is His faithfulness. He cannot change. Just because God remains faithful is no excuse for you to be unfaithful. Be faithful, God is counting on you.

TALK IT OVER: Discuss ways God has been faithful to your family.

--Jack Palmer--

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN " 1 " YEAR": Exodus cc. 28-31