by leaps and bounds

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:21-23).

Faithfulness is one of the great attributes of our Heavenly Father. He is faithful to forgive us when we confess our sins. He is faithful to always be with us- even to the very end. Due to His faithfulness we have hope.

God’s faithfulness is shown in that His goodness and mercy are continually with us. Notice these verses from the Book of Psalms:

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6).

Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The goodness of God endures continually (Psalm 52:1).

As we all know, life is not a bed of roses. Difficult times are simply a part of living. God is faithful to be with us during these difficult times. Again, Scripture supports this truth:

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you: I have called you by name: You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you (Isaiah 43:1-2).

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1)

God is faithful to us. If we truly desire to live for the Lord, we must be faithful also. As His people, we are stewards of His work on this earth. God is not unreasonable, but He does require faithfulness. Note the following verses regarding our faithfulness toward Him:

Let a man so consider us as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful (I Corinthians 4:1-2)

As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (I Peter 4:10).

He has shown you, O man, what is good: And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Our faithfulness will make us stable in our Christian walk- clear to the end. Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the confession of our faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” We hold to His promises and stay faithful as He is faithful. There will come a day when our faithfulness will reap great benefits:

After a long time the Lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, “Lord, you delivered to me five talents, look, I have gained five more talents besides them.” His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” He also who had received two talents came and said, “Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.” His lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Luke 25:19-23)

No matter God’s purpose for our lives, we need to be faithful in doing our best to fulfill that purpose. God is the perfect model of faithfulness. Will we follow His example and be faithful also?

---

Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.