Are we willing to be Faithful?

The year 2019 offers us three bible verses as promises for us.

First, in the book of Exodus, the Israelites under the leadership of Moses are delivered from Egypt’s 400+ years of bondage as God amazingly takes them through the Red Sea on dry ground. He then feeds them manna in the desert. But when they reach Meribah the Israelites begin to complain about being brought to the desert with no water and then God brings out water from a rock. As they reach Mt Sinai, God gives Moses the two tablets of 10 commandments and when he comes down the mountain Moses sees the Israelites again rebelling against God by creating a golden calf. God is angry at the people and Moses pleads for them. That is when we see God saying in Exodus 34:10 (ESV) 10 And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the Lord, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.

The people of God did everything wrong, but God was faithful and will do marvels and do an awesome thing. This challenges us to ask ourselves how many times have we been doing things wrong, but the faithfulness of God has continued to bless us. He has given us favor in our jobs, good health, prosperity, blessed our children with wisdom, protected us from dire circumstances.  So, we can see that even if we do things wrong, God will remain faithful and will do awesome things.

Second, comes from the story of David, who at a young age of about 15 is anointed by Samuel the prophet to be king of Israel. However, he does not ascend to the throne until he is 30 years. During that time, we see him doing all the right things; taking care of the sheep for his father, playing harp for the king, killing Goliath and saving Israel from Philistines, and becoming a mighty warrior for Israel. He continued to serve Israel and king Saul, but his life is in danger, since Saul wants to kill him. Even when David has a chance to kill Saul, he says who can touch his finger on God’s anointed.  David did everything right, no matter what problems he had. It is in this context and after God has finally delivered him from all his problems, David says in Psalm 18:30 (ESV) This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

David is telling us of God’s faithfulness and says His way is perfect, no matter what problems or issues come our way.  How many times have we come into problems and backed off from doing the right thing? In those moments, many times we say God cannot be trusted, since he has not taken care of us or provided for us or blessed us, even though he promised. However, this verse is challenging all of us, no matter what the problems we have, we need to remember that God’s ways are perfect and His word will prove true. He is a faithful to His Word and he will remain faithful to your needs and desires. So continue to do the right thing.

Third, comes from the history of the Israelites who have seen mighty wonders in the past. Now Israel is basking under the grace of God through their past wonders. They saw Egypt destroyed as they crossed the Red Sea, they saw Jericho falling down in front of their eyes, and they saw God fighting for them as they conquered Canaan. Also they see David becoming king and Solomon building the temple. But now Isaiah the prophet says Isaiah 43:19 (ESV) Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

The people of Israel are continuing to rest from their bitter past and hope that God will do the same thing again. But God says, don’t rest on the past wonders, but I am going to do a new thing. This is all because God is faithful. 

Many times we too keep basking over the past things that God did for us. I am reminded of the times when God amazingly delivered my son from allergies when he was born and when God amazingly provided me with a Green card in spite of the challenges we faced over a period of fourteen years. However, today I believe God is saying, I am going to do some thing NEW and is challenging us, do you NOT perceive? He says he will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.  God’s faithfulness is telling us that he will do something mighty in our life in 2019.  Can we trust this same God?

In 2019 God is saying that he has been faithful no matter we were wrong, or when we are right in midst of our challenges or when we have rested on past deliverance for him to do the same.  But God is asking us, can we be faithful to him in 2019, just as he has been to us?

So How do we remain faithful? In John 10:27, Jesus is telling us that, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” 

The only way to remain faithful is to hear His voice. Many times in our prayer life, we are simply asking God with a list of petitions. Are we really hearing him?  The only way to hear God’s voice is to listen.  If we do not listen, we will not know what is right. The key difference between following Christ and all other religions in this world is that we can hear God’s voice.  This is why he is the ONLY one true God. 

When we are faithful in 2019 and beyond:

1.     God will begin to do marvels in the sight of people for you

2.     You will begin to see how and why God’s ways are perfect and you will begin to appreciate the wisdom and knowledge of God

3.     God will begin to do a new thing that will amaze you.  Broken relationships will be restored, promotions that are hindered will come your way, and deteriorated health will begin to heal.

PS: Image has been copied from https://www.dckasarani.org/weekly-articles/becoming-a-faithful-steward/