I once read an article from a national polling organization that said our nation faces a crisis that is neither political nor economical, but moral and spiritual. It’s true. We live in a culture today filled with crime, terrorism, disease, lust, and intolerance for Christians. We have highly publicized scandals that have left America in a crisis of trust—a crisis of confidence. People are asking, “Who can I trust?” The lack of authenticity is often seen in the break down of the American family. Children grow up wondering if they can place confidence in a parent who has been untrustworthy.
Beyond the crisis of trust I fear that Americans are left with an ever-growing, very dangerous cynicism. We are becoming very cynical. I see that in our culture today in the way that everything has to be comical. Everything has to be a punch line. It is as if our entire American life is a spoof on Saturday Night Live. Nothing is sacred. No one talks any more about the institutions of our nation with any sense of dignity and grace. Even Christians are dissatisfied with the spiritual blessings of God.
But amidst the demoralizing of our nation and our world, there is one truth that will remain unchanged throughout the ages—Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The faithfulness of God is hope to the Christian and strength to the new believer.
The Bible says in Psalm 77:11–12, “I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” The danger we face as believers is forgetting the faithfulness of God. When we no longer appreciate His goodness in our lives, the disease of ingratitude will poison our effectiveness as a Christian.
Years ago I remember reading about a father who fell asleep on his couch while reading. His children quietly and cunningly rubbed Limburger cheese into his mustache. When the father awoke he was greeted with an abhorrent odor. He jumped up and ran to the kitchen and drew a deep breath. “This kitchen stinks!” he exclaimed. He ran to the living room, took a deep breath and muttered exasperatingly, “This house stinks!” He rushed to the front door and stepped onto the porch and again, held his nose in the air and sniffed, “This whole world stinks!”
Unfortunately, the problem this man was experiencing was right under his own nose. Many Christians experience a similar problem. Something goes wrong in their lives and they begin complaining that their families stink, their friends stink, their jobs stink—never stopping to consider that the problem might be themselves. The next time you are tempted to take a deep breath and blame this world for a trial, try contemplating the faithfulness of God. There are three areas in our lives in which God is always faithful.
He Is Faithful To Forget.
God knows everything, but there are some things He has chosen to forget. The Bible is very clear in Hebrews 8:12 when it says, “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Once a person is saved, the blood of Jesus Christ covers His sins.
The Bible says in Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.” Mercy is withholding punishment from one who deserves it. Each person needs God’s mercy. God’s mercy especially rests upon His people. Because of God’s immutable character, His mercy keeps us from being consumed.
He Is Faithful To Feed.
When a person is saved, he is born again. He is like a newborn baby who needs the care and nourishment of a mother. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:1–3, “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”
Many Christians come to the table of God’s sustenance and they push away His nourishment because they are filled with worldly desires. Peter admonishes us to “lay aside” that which is hindering us from being fed spiritually. God’s Word nourishes us. His Word will also furnish us. Every day we face challenges for which only the Bible has the answer. In 2 Timothy 3:16–17 the Scriptures say, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” I am always amazed how God will often use something I read from His Word that morning to equip for a certain task.
God’s Word will also encourage us. Timothy Dwight once said, “The Bible is a window in this prison-world, through which we may look into eternity.” The Bible will give a Christian a glimpse of God and His values.
He Is Faithful To Forgive.
God’s faithfulness is seen in His forgiveness for us. The Bible says in Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” As believers, we are forgiven through His blood. Ephesians 1:7 says, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
Not far from New York City there is a cemetery where there is a grave that has inscribed upon its headstone just one word—forgiven. There is no name, no date of birth or death. The stone is undecorated by the sculptor’s art. There is no epitaph, no eulogy— just one word—forgiven. But that is the greatest thing that can be said of any man or written on his grave.
God is faithful to forget. God is faithful to feed. And God is faithful to forgive. Thank the Lord for His faithfulness!
Twenty-two years ago Bob and Joyce Lane visited our church. Their grandchildren had recently started riding our church bus, and they wanted to see the church the children were attending. Bob (a World War II veteran) and Joyce were already saved, but after they joined Lancaster Baptist, many of their family members soon trusted Christ and were baptized.
A few weeks ago our church family began praying for a dear member, Mrs. Diana Graham. Diana came to our church with her family in 1997. Their then teenage son, Clark Graham, later graduated from our high school and college and now serves as a missionary with Brother Rick Martin in the Philippines. Brother Graham and his wife Rachel have been a blessing as some of the first young missionaries sent from our church.