Faithful God

     In Greek mythology Sisyphus was a king of Ephyra (now known as Corinth).  He was punished for chronic deceitfulness by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this action forever. On Sunday morning I felt a little bit like Sisyphus. On Friday and Saturday I had been able to blow and rake and gather up the leaves in our yard – very thankful for the excellent weather conditions for doing so. Finishing a job like that always feels good. But on Sunday morning a very light blanket of leaves was spread over the lawn again. Maple trees in Maine take their sweet time in shedding all of their leaves. But waiting for the last leaf is always risky weather-wise. I knew it would happen, but it was still a bit deflating.

A man I know has spent much of his life feeling like he is always taking one step forward and two steps back. For every bit of “progress” it seems like there is a commensurate falling behind. The level of frustration can be mind-numbing for him. We can feel this way in life – financially, relationally, and spiritually. There are times of spiritual growth that inspire and encourage us and lead us to feel very close to God. And then there are “desert” experiences of spiritual dryness when we don’t seem to be able to hear or see God and wonder where He’s gone. We fall back. Some people have even wondered if they’re still Christians.

It is awesome to know that, while we may have our rollercoasters and “hiccups” in life, God is faithful. There has never been the slightest moment in eternity when God has not been faithful. While our experience can sometimes serve to get our eyes off of Him and His faithfulness, His Word will always remind us that His faithfulness is unchanging. Every discouragement we encounter… every setback… every failure… is an opportunity to sing – or at least to remember - the words of Thomas Chisholm: “Great is Thy faithfulness, oh God my Father… There is no shadow of turning with Thee… Thou changest not, Thy compassions fail not… As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be. Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!”

I typically want to sing that when I feel His faithfulness. The words come more robustly to my lips. But I need the words more when I am in the pit of discouragement… when I feel like I am going the wrong way and don’t seem to be able to change my circumstances. It is when I am “in the valley” that my soul needs restoring. And in those moments, the words of Chisholm’s song and so much of Scripture are no less true. They are as true as they have ever been. God is faithful! So may the Lord help me, by His Spirit, to see that truth all the time. And may He protect my heart from the efforts of the enemy to blind my vision from seeing it. Thank You, Lord!

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV) ⁹  Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

1 Kings 8:56 (NIV) ⁵⁶  "Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave through his servant Moses.

Psalm 36:5 (NIV) ⁵  Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

Psalm 89:1 (NIV) ¹  I will sing of the LORD's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 (NIV) ³  But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

PRAYER:  Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth… Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow… blessings all min with ten thousand beside. Thank you, Lord, for Your great faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!

Scott