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Remaining Faithful Through It All
By Warren B. Smith
The hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness was inspired by Lamentations 3:22-23 and affirms that God does not change. His compassions, mercies, and love never fail. He is always faithful and true:
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow Of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;
As Thou has been Thou forever shall be.
Another hymn, Faith of Our Fathers, affirms that in spite of persecutions, afflictions, tribulations, and temptations, there are believers who—through it all—remained faithful and true:
Faith of our fathers, living still
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword!
O how our hearts beat high with joy
When-e’er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers! Holy faith!
We will be true to Thee till death!
O Come All Ye Faithful—an exhortation to the “faithful”—is underscored in this beloved Christmas carol:
O come all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him, Born the King of angels.
O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
The following are selected verses about God’s faithfulness to us and our need and desire to be faithful and true to Him.
—God is Faithful to Us—
God is Faithful
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. (Deuteronomy 7:9)
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True. (Revelation 19:11)
God’s Word is Faithful
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. (Titus 1:9)
And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (Revelation 22:6-7)
God’s Faithfulness is Great
It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
God’s Faithfulness Reaches Unto The Clouds
Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.(Psalm 36:5)
God’s Faithfulness is Unto All Generations
Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. (Psalm 119:90)
God’s Faithfulness is in the Congregation
And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints. For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him. O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee? (Psalm 89:5-8)
God’s Faithfulness is the Girdle of His Reins
And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins. (Isaiah 11:5)
God’s Faithfulness Answers Prayers
Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. (Psalm 143:1)
God’s Faithfulness Provides an Escape From Temptation
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
God Faithfulness Preserves the Faithful
O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:23-24)
Through God’s Faithfulness, he Forgives Us
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:8-9)
God’s Faithfulness Called Us to Jesus
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9)
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (1Thessalonians 5:24)
God’s Faithfulness Establishes Us
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
God’s Faithfulness Abides
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)
God’s Commandments Are Faithful
All thy commandments are faithful. (Psalm 119:86)
God’s Testimonies are Faithful
Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. (Psalm 119:137-138)
God’s Counsels are Faithfulness and Truth
O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. (Isaiah 25:1)
God’s Son is the Faithful Witness
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5-6)
Jesus’ Faithfulness Reconciles Us to God
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17)
—We Are to be Faithful to God—
We Are Called and Chosen to be Faithful
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)
Our Faith Comes From Hearing and Believing
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. (Galatians 3:5-9)
We Are Saved By Grace Through Faith
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Our Faith is in God’s Son
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.(2 Timothy 3:15)
We Are Justified By Faith
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28)
The Just Live By Faith
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38)
We Are to Have Faith in His Name
And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:16)
Without Faith We Do Not Please God
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
We Are to be Faithful With a True Heart
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22)
We Are to Declare God’s Faithfulness and Lovingkindness
I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. (Psalm 40:10)
We Are to be Faithful in Even the Least of Things
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own? (Luke 16:10-12)
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:23)
And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. (Luke 17:6)
Our Faith is Evidenced by Our Works
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? (James 2:14)
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (James 2:17)
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26)
The Trying of Our Faith Develops Patience
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James 1:2-3)
Through Faith We Understand
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (Hebrews 11:3)
Faith is the Substance of Things Hoped For
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
Through Faith We Inherit the Promises
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:12)
Faithful Followers Are Blessed
A faithful man shall abound with blessings. (Proverbs 28:20)
Faithful Followers Are Hard to Find
Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? (Proverbs 20:6)
We Must Hold on to Our Faith
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering. (Hebrews 10:23)
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck. (1 Timothy 1:19)
We Are to Have Unfeigned Faith
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. (1 Timothy 1:5)
We Are to Ask in Faith
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. (James 1:5-6)
We Walk By Faith
For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
We Are to Stand Fast in Our Faith
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13)
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand. (2 Corinthians 1:24)
We Are to Put on the Breastplate of Faith
But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)
We Are to Resist the Devil With Our Faith
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Ephesians 6:16)
We Are to Contend For the Faith
Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 1:3)
We Are to Fight the Good Fight of Faith
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1Timothy 6:12)
We Are to Faithfully Watch For His Coming
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. (Matthew 24:42-46)
We Are to Keep the Faith
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)
We Are to be Faithful Unto Death
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)
—Faith or No Faith?—
No Faith
They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. (Deuteronomy 32:16-20)
Little Faith
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? (Matthew 6:30)
And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:24-26)
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matthew 14:29-31)
Faithful That Fail
Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. (Psalm 12:1-2)
Departing From the Faith
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. (1 Timothy 4:1)
—Faith When He Returns?—
In Luke 18, there is a strong intimation that when Jesus returns there may not be much faith on the earth.
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:7-8)
When the disciples ask Jesus what will be the sign of His return, the very first sign He discloses is deception—that people will be deceived away from the true faith by those who will come in His name claiming to be Christians and claiming to be Christ:
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:3-5)
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24:11)
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. (Matthew 24:24-26)
God warns in Scripture of a great Last Days deception, but exhorts us to press on, contending for the faith, fighting the good fight of faith, keeping the faith, and remaining faithful to the very end. He assures us that His grace is sufficient and that—through it all—He will help us and preserve us if we but wait and entrust ourselves to Him in faith:
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. (Psalm 31:23-24)
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)
—To Those Who Remain Faithful—
Amazingly, to God’s praise and glory, we can be confidant that He will be faithful to complete the work that He has begun in us:
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)
Also, amazingly and to His praise and glory, is what awaits those who love Him, wait for Him, and remain faithful to Him:
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
And perhaps most amazing of all are the words the faithful will one day hear from Him Who has always been faithful and true to us:
Well done, thou good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:21)
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