God’s faithfulness embodies His unswerving dedication and loyalty. This essential truth underpins the essence and personality of God. His perfection in faithfulness shapes who he is (His essence) and influences His interactions with His offspring (His relationship with humans).
In a world where people are fickle and promises are thrown about carelessly (and seldom fulfilled), it isn’t easy to grasp the perfection of God’s faithfulness. While there are human examples of faithfulness (like a husband being faithful to his wife), they pale in comparison to the beauty and hope embodied in the faithfulness of the Creator God.
In this post, we’ll look at God’s attribute of faithfulness.
What is Faithfulness?
Faithfulness is the attribute of God that describes His loyalty and steadfastness. God is perfect in His faithfulness and so is completely dependable, and entirely trustworthy. He cannot be moved or shaken. He is faithful to the core of His being and that faithfulness extends to His Word and His dealings with His children.
Faithfulness on Display in The Bible
God’s faithfulness is demonstrated in various ways throughout Scripture, let’s take a closer look at a few.
Faithfulness that Provides
God’s faithfulness is evident in His provision. The Bible is chock full of examples of God meeting the needs of His people—often in mind-blowing ways!
God is aware of the physical needs of His children and knows what we need even before we do! (Matt 6:8). God’s faithfulness was on full display as He led His people out of slavery in Egypt. With an enemy army behind the Israelite nation and a body of water in front of them, God provided a way and parted the sea (Ex 14:21). Wandering in the desert, thirsty, God provided water from the rock (Ex 17:6). Hungry, He rained bread from Heaven (Ex 16:4). He remained faithful even when His people did not.
But it is the spiritual needs of man that are even more desperate and dependent on the faithfulness of the Creator. While Adam and Eve could still taste the forbidden fruit on their tongues, God had already promised a Savior (Gen 3:15). Not only was He faithful to fulfill His promise through Jesus (John 3:16) but He is faithful to provide mercy, grace, and help as His children navigate trials and times of suffering. In His great wisdom, He provides us exactly what we need.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
Faithfulness that Protects
God is faithful to provide a way out of sin and temptation (even though we don’t always take it).
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
God is also faithful to protect us during times of suffering and trials. We may experience physical or emotional pain but we can safely say that if we are saved by grace, it is well with our souls—God is our faithful refuge. Never will He leave us, never will He forsake us (Heb 13:5).
We see this faithfulness in all parts of the Trinty: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit protect in different ways.
Psalm 91:4 (ESV) He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
Faithfulness that Pardons
God is faithful to forgive our sins when we place our trust in Him. Not only does God pardon us, but because we are cleansed by the blood of Jesus, we are able to stand before God in righteousness that comes from faith in Christ (Phil 3:9) and receive eternal life instead of eternal separation from God. Jesus withstood an unjust trial, died, and rose again that we would be pardoned.
1 John 1:9 (ESV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
John 10:28 (ESV) I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
What Does God’s Faithfulness Mean for Us?
There is great comfort in the truth that God’s faithfulness does not depend on ours—we miss the mark everytime.
Because God is faithful, we can trust His Word. Because God is faithful, we can hold onto His promises—He will do it! Because God is faithful, we can trust that Jesus’ death on the cross is sufficient payment for our sins.
God’s faithfulness is a precious motivator—the best reason—to live according to God’s Word, waiting eagerly for the day when He calls us home. Hope that rests on the faithfulness of God will not be put to shame.
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (ESV) He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
