Monday, July 3, 2017

Faithfully Afflicted




“I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right, and that you in faithfulness have afflicted me.” Psalms 119:75

While considering a study of God’s faithfulness, I came across this verse. It caused me to consider carefully what it means that God is faithful.

First, we need to understand what it means to speak of God as being faithful. Faithfulness is one of God’s characteristics. By that I mean that it is not something that God achieves or aspires to. It is not something that He becomes, it is an integral part of His being. This is true of all of God’s characteristics.

God’s faithfulness is demonstrated in His unchanging nature. Hebrews 13:8. “It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23 We always like to think about the things that God does for us that we think are nice and wonderful.

However, God’s faithfulness especially extends to our spiritual needs. His greatest interest in us is our spiritual growth. This means He will do what is necessary to bring about increased growth in our lives.

It is interesting that the Psalmist seems to acknowledge gratefully God’s affliction. He knows the necessity of the trial for his life. “Wherein  you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found to praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:6-7

However, we can most assuredly trust in Him to not allow greater trial than we can stand. 1 Corinthians 10:13. We can trust Him no matter what comes our way. Job said it best; “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:” Job 13:15

God is faithfully working in the lives of those that will trust Him as Job did. He is producing something that will glorify Him for eternity. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calls you, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

So may we with the Psalmist, show forth your loving kindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night,  Psalms 92:2
Gordon Crook