God Is Always Faithful

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)  Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."

I watched part of (including the end of) the Minnesota Vikings-New Orleans Saints playoff game last Sunday. The sports commentators and pundits have probably said all that needs to be said about that “miracle” ending, but I was struck with quickness and depth of emotional change on the part of both teams and their fans. The Vikings had taken the lead and things looked great for them. Then the Saints kicked a field goal with less than a minute left and took the lead. It then looked hopeless for the Vikings. With 10 seconds left Case Keenum, the quarterback of the Vikings threw a pass that – caught or dropped – should have virtually ended the game. But the defender failed to stop the pass and then to stop the receiver who caught the pass… and then Stefon Diggs ran all the way to the end zone – untouched – for a touchdown as time ran out and the win. The stadium full of Vikings fans roared and rejoiced, while Saints fans everywhere were stunned into disappointed sadness and the team could barely be mustered for the required extra point play.

Things like this happen often in sports. The drama of it all is one of the things that attracts fans. While we enjoy being on the winning end of things, fans also suffer through the losing end of some hard losses. Sports is not the only arena in life where such dramatic changes can happen. I worked with a pastor many years ago who often reminded the congregation – when they would become a little too confident in the church’s bank accounts or when people rested spiritually on their own laurels – “God can take it all away in a moment.” His purpose was not to be negative or depressing, but to be sober-minded and to call us to be careful to avoid being presumptuous upon God and His blessings: to enjoy them for sure, and to glorify God in/for them for sure, but to avoid any and all self-assurance in favor of God-assurance.

Any of our lives can change in the briefest moment of time – for good or for bad. The loss of a loved one, an injury in an accident, a diagnosis of disease, the loss of a job, a natural disaster… or an unexpected gift in the mail, the positive result of a pregnancy test, the news you got the job or made the team or passed the test… these are but a few examples of things that can send your emotions soaring or diving very quickly.

It is a comfort to know the Lord in the midst of the rollercoaster of life. The Lord does not change in our lowest lows and our highest highs. He’s there, always the same. But He does not remove us from them, either. He “rides along”, if you will, without change in His plan for us and His love and care for us. One of the favorite hymns in the lives of many, and certainly in my life is Thomas Chisholm’s Great Is Thy Faithfulness…

“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 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!

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,

Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Psalm 23:1-6 (NIV) ¹  The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. ²  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, ³  he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. ⁴  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. ⁵  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ⁶  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Lamentations 3:21-26 (NIV) ²¹  Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: ²²  Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ²³  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ²⁴  I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." ²⁵  The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; ²⁶  it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

Malachi 3:6 (NIV)  "I the LORD do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

James 1:17 (NIV)  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

PRAYER:  Lord God, I look to you in the depths of my lowest lows, and I look to you in the heights of my highest highs. Most of my life is lived in between them, and I look to you then and there as well. Thank you that you never leave nor forsake me. You are my Hope in all things. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!   

Scott