Category: Faithfullness

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Faithful Through and Through

Dear Sister,

When good things happen I often hear, ‘God is so faithful, isn’t He?’ I often wonder if the circumstance had turned out badly would I hear, ‘God is so faithful, isn’t He?’

It seems that the last ten years of my life have been a roller coaster of what we human beings call good and bad. New life, death, disease, healing, troubled relationships, forgiveness, excruciatingly slow sanctification. What I am learning practically, though I have long understood positionally and theologically, is that through all of it, God has remained faithful, true to His Word. Through the cancer diagnosis and viciously disabling treatments, through the healing, through the joy of two daughters’-in-law pregnancies and precious babies born, through miscarriages and premature, non-viable births, to sons and their wives weeping at their losses, to a little boy born with club feet, multiple castings and surgeries and pain for a grandson, to the death of a godly and loving father, to the decline of a mother and best friend…Yet, I can say with all confidence, without bravado, He is faithful.

God is not just faithful when all goes well. God remains faithful when the anguish is so intense that breathing is labored. God remains faithful when all earthly hope is gone. God remains faithful when a heart is filled with immobilizing fear. God is faithful when the days are dark, storm clouds weigh heavy in the skies, waves are crashing all around threatening to overwhelm and drown.

God’s faithfulness is not dependent on the circumstances in our lives. He is faithful to His own character, Who He is.  And we know Who He is from His Word. He is faithful to save for all eternity those whom He has chosen. He is faithful to forgive them because He said He would. He is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us because He promised to do so. He is faithful to never leave us or forsake us when the loved one is not healed in spite of our pleadings.  He made Himself known when babies were born imperfect in the world’s eyes.  He was there when little ones died. He was present at the graveside as they lowered the tiny box into the grave and I watched my son, with his own hands, shovel clods of dirt over their dream. Ashes to ashes…

Dear sister, God does not promise to make our lives trouble free. Had He done so, they would indeed be trouble free. He promised they would be difficult and filled with fiery trials and temptations. He has promised that He will chasten us for our presumptuous sins so that we will repent more quickly and deeply. He put us in this messy, chaotic, trouble-filled life to save us and sanctify us slowly but surely–and in the pain-filled process, gradually peel our hearts and eyes away from this world and its baubles and troubles and fix our longings on our heavenly home where all things will fully and finally be trouble-free. We would never crave the new heaven and earth if we were not weary of the old. We would never learn to love our God and find Him most satisfying above all people or things or places if we did not endure the dissatisfaction and emptiness of grasping and acquiring and fading, short-lived happinesses.

His faithfulness is based on who He is, not what we want Him to be or do. And we will never know Who He is unless we immerse ourselves in His Word so that He can tell us Who He is. When we live and breathe and exude Christ we will, with deep-seated joy in our souls, say, “He is faithful!”, though the tears are streaming down our faces.

“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul.” Psalm 66: 16

Cling, dear Sister. Cling to our always faithful God.

Love,
Cherry

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Dare to Be Faithful

Dear Sister,

His middle name is Daniel. Dare to be a Daniel and all that. In my barrenness I had begged God for a child, but only if he would walk faithfully with God. So, He gave, and we prayed that this gift, this boy, would be the fulfillment of that prayer, that he would be like Daniel.

The book which bears his name is filled with strange imagery and prophecies which are not readily understandable, but the first few chapters in this Old Testament writing quickly grab my heart and I get it.  I pray that Daniel’s unabashed faithfulness would be in me and my family and all of God’s true children.

What if our boys were taken as spoils in a brutal war? What if we were taken as a trophy for some pagan king? Would we be immobilized by fear or hysteria? Would dread of torture or death cause us to submit to the new culture and its ways?

Yes, Daniel and his friends were cared for lavishly so as to adorn the pagan king’s reputation and kingdom by owning the choicest of young men, boys with good looks, intelligence, and aptitudes. But this care came with contingencies. Study hard or else. Wear a pagan, idolatrous name befitting the captor nation’s gods. Eat the royal delicacies or…

Was this a difficult submission for Daniel? The Scriptures do not reveal any conundrum in his heart. They tell us what he did. And he did it with incredible wisdom, winsomeness, and empathy for his caretaker. Oh, he studied hard and excelled. He knew that this secular education would not take away his knowledge and love for Yahweh, his God. He accepted his new Babylonian name.  He knew that it did not change who he was intrinsically. He was still Daniel in his heart. But…the food! That was a different story. God had strict rules about Israel’s permitted foods and those banned from the pagan nations. Perhaps the royal fare compromised those directives? Perhaps the edibles were dedicated to idols and consuming them would appear to the watching court to be submission to these false gods? For whatever reason, Daniel believed eating would compromise him and his testimony, yet he did not outright refuse. He politely asked his superior, to whom he had already earned favor by his excellent work and demeanor, for an exemption from the order to eat the king’s delicacies for a set period of time on the condition that his health and appearance would not suffer as a result. Scripture tells us he had purposed in his heart to not defile himself.  He resolved beforehand that he would not acquiesce to the culture in such a way as to compromise his walk with his God. This was his red line. You know the story. He passes the test and is eventually elevated to a high position in the court for all his pursuit of excellence. He is found trustworthy by all. But, exalted status often results in jealousy and evil men sought to undermine and bring him low–to the point of death. Through it all, Daniel remains faithful to Yahweh. He will not compromise though execution looms large before his face.

Recently I reread Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. I was struck by faithfulness like Daniel’s and his friends’ loyalties and was ashamed at the myriad times I fail to speak a simple word for Jesus when my only consequence might be a puzzled look or some scorn. How I long for, pray for such love for Christ that boldness would break forth from my heart and my lips no matter the fallout. I pray for deeds that stand the test of the furnace,  a reputation that causes even lions to be at peace with me. I ask Him for a life that is vindicated by God even as Daniel’s.

His name means ‘God is my judge’. Daniel lived in light of that designation. He did not want to disappoint. That’s how I want to live.

Love,
Cherry

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The Greatest Faithfulness

Dear Sister,

We just celebrated Easter. Like Christmas, Resurrection Day has taken on all the trappings of the Secularist. New Beginnings. Spring. Freshness of rain and sun to wash away winter.  Goddess of fertility.  Tulips and Narcissus. Bunnies and dyed eggs and pure sugar jellybeans. Such misdirection.

Recently, I read and reread 1 Corinthians 15.  If the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not true, we, of all people, are most miserable. If the resurrection is a fable, why give our lives to a myth just to make ourselves feel better about inevitable death hanging over our heads. Let’s eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow only brings death, and with it, total silence. If Christ is not raised, nor will we be raised. Our faith is empty, says Paul. We are still in our sins. We might as well shake our fists at a mythical or unfaithful, mocking God who sits in a heaven reserved for Himself alone.

Ah, but we know better. We can read all the books on apologetics, proving the resurrection, and they help. But the greatest apologetic for the believer is the living and powerful Word of God which quickens our hearts to believe and understand the resurrection, the dynamite power that raised Christ from the dead, the same power that removed the glaze, the veil from our own spiritual eyes and lack of understanding concerning our Risen Lord. We now know wholeheartedly that we died in Adam. We, by faith, are certain we were made alive in Christ. Peter tells us we have been given a living hope, the confidence that comes from God Himself that we too will be raised from the dead, a heavenly inheritance that is not subject to earthly corruption or defilement, nor does it fade away. Peter continues to state that we are able to remain faithful to God despite the sure trials of this difficult life because His power and presence in the sufferings will prove the genuineness of our faith in Jesus Christ. The end result is the salvation of our souls. But only if we are His…

Life really is very short. The older we get, the shorter it seems. Eternity is a very long time.  We know the day of our birth. We do not know the day of our death. God knows. God determined it. Are we ready? Do we know Him? Do we belong to Him? We can work hard to make ourselves acceptable to our Creator or to make sure we make the cut between heaven and hell, but He says our supposed attempts at righteousness are the same as filthy rags. Jesus will say to those who worked hard with wonderful deeds, “Depart from me, You workers of iniquity. I never knew you.”  Terrifying. Our right standing before Christ is not based on our works or we would boast. It is based on His work for us, our sins placed on Him, His perfect righteousness given to us by grace alone, by faith alone, through Christ alone. (Ephesians 2:8-9) God says we are dead in our sins and corpses do not respond or make decisions.   Ask Him to make your heart alive to Him. You can’t conjure it up. He has to do it for you. He will take away your sins and make you His own daughter, and us, your sisters.

Trust Him, my friend, with all your soul. His Word says He is faithful to do it. He can be trusted completely. He will never deceive you. His faithfulness is without blemish, untarnished by any weakness.

” ‘Jesus sinners doth receive’,
word of surest consolation;
Word all sorrow to relieve, word of pardon, peace, salvation!
Naught like this can comfort give;
‘Jesus sinners doth receive.’

On God’s grace we have no claim,
yet to us His pledge is given;
He hath sworn by His own name,
open are the gates of heaven.
Take to heart this word and live:
‘Jesus sinners doth receive.’

When a helpless lamb doth stray,
after it, the Shepherd, pressing
thro’ each dark and dang’rous way,
brings it back, His own possessing.
Jesus seeks thee, O believe: ‘Jesus sinners doth receive.’

Oh, how blest it is to know: were as scarlet my transgression,
it shall be as white as snow by Thy blood and bitter passion;
For these words I now believe: ‘Jesus sinners doth receive.’

Now my conscience is at peace,
from the Law I stand acquitted;
Christ hath purchased my release
and my every sin remitted.
Naught remains my soul to grieve–
‘Jesus sinners doth receive.’ ”
(Hymn based on lyrics by Erdmann Neumeister 1671-1756)

Love,
Cherry

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Slowly Forward

Dear Sister,

It will be thirty-nine years in August. How eagerly I waited for the day of my wedding. We had dated off and on for nine years. Somewhere in there God saved us both for Himself. When my man finally asked my daddy if he could marry me, we planned and executed a wedding within five days. It had been a long and unpredictable romance, a whirlwind engagement, but the marriage has been slow and steady and faithful and satisfying. We promised before God and family on that day so long ago to love and honor and be true to each other till death do us part. By His grace we continue.

Our world is marked by unfaithfulness. Nothing new. The Bible is filled with unfaithfulness–Stories of many unfaithful people, that is. Unfaithfulness comes in many stripes and colors. Unfaithful to a spouse in adultery… Unfaithful in promises made to a friend… Our word has ceased to be our bond. Unfaithful concerning loyalties…Gossip…Disobedience to parents, to authorities, to God…all marks of the unfaithful heart. We find a myriad examples in our own relationships and spheres of acquaintances and God has given us many examples in Scripture. Adam and Eve. Cain. The whole world save Noah. Israel. Achan. King Saul. Scribes. Pharisees. Judas.

At times faithfulness seems tedious, like a lumbering ox plowing a field, ponderously going up and down the furrows day after day,  not understanding the reward following the monotony. Unlike the cow we have reasoning powers and can consciously discern that the everyday-ness of faithfulness yields much harvest, but we too easily get tired or bored and throw up our hands, wondering if it is worth it. How many diapers must I change and how many arguments must I umpire? How often am I required to suffer the wounds of that friend or family member? How much longer will I have strength to care for my frail parent? How many months or years must I pray for a son’s salvation? What’s in it for me? We’re tired of the world’s sneers at our beliefs and life-style. Don’t we have a right to autonomy, to be free to do as we please? And the world beckons with its deceiving and attractive selfishness. ‘Come with me. Throw off your yoke of bondage to others. Do as you feel.’  Exhaustion from responsibilities can do that to us.

But, as we know, all of life is bound up in consequences for decisions and behaviors. In our right-thinking moments we see the results of unfaithfulness around us, of the bodies strewn along the way, damaged and bloodied, marriages and friendships broken, reputations sullied, children devastated, hearts shattered. Lies. Deceit. We never sin alone.

But God…In His glorious strength and power intrudes into our lives (as Joni Tada aptly says) and breaks the power of our selfish hearts and gives grace to be faithful in that difficult marriage, to be kind in that hurtful friendship, to be patient with that little one who spills and makes messes, to be tender with the parent who is becoming a child again. We are not to be weary in doing good, says Paul in Galatians 6:9,  because in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. But before that, in the same chapter, he said that if we sow to our own flesh (selfishness) we will bear its fruit: corruption. If we sow to the Spirit (obedience to Christ) we will reap eternal life. That’s why we do not become faint-hearted in faithfulness to what God commands. And then Paul enjoins us to do good to everyone, as opportunity arises, especially to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

There you have it… We are weak and ‘prone to wander’, we find it difficult to consider others before ourselves and to focus our hearts on the reward for faithfulness. Let us turn from ourselves,  my sister, and “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, LOOKING UNTO JESUS, the founder and perfecter of our faith…”  Christ’s life was rough here on earth, but “for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (From Hebrews 12:2)

When you feel as though you cannot put one foot in front of the other, think on that day when our longings to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of your master,” will be realized and we will see Jesus face to face.  

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12) All by His mercy and grace.

Love,

Cherry

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A Faithful Example

Dear Sister,

We have all had the experience of hearing a new word or learning a new concept or discovering a once unfamiliar place on the planet.  What happens? It seems from that moment on the new vocabulary word or idea or location is constantly heard and one wonders why it was so unfamiliar before. When I was a little girl I recall hearing about Lake Tahoe and wondering where that was. A week later someone referred to it. Then I saw the words written in my father’s Time magazine. From then on it seemed to be everywhere.

This year I told you I wanted to write about faithfulness. Of course, the topic “faithfulness” is cropping up all over before my eyes and ears…in articles, in books, in the Scriptures.

Today I began going over the story of Joseph in my Old Testament readings and you know it, faithfulness leaps from the pages. From the text you’d think that Joseph never sinned unless you think he was arrogant in the recounting of his dreams to his brothers and father, telling them that they would bow down to him. God is not shy about telling us of the sins and weaknesses of many characters in His Word. With others,  like Joseph and Daniel, the Lord spares us from the telling of their sin, of which we are all guilty. I believe God wants us to zero in on their faithfulness, for our example, for edification and encouragement to be like-minded.

As I read through Joseph’s story (check it out in Genesis 37, 39-50) I’m struck by his faithfulness to God and His reputation throughout the events narrated in the Scriptures. Joseph was the favorite of his father, thus incurring the jealousy and wrath of his brothers.  He appears to be in submission to his father, obedient in the errands his father asked of him. The brothers’ envy resulted in the pretend death of Joseph and the selling of him to traders on their way to Egypt–We know what happened there. Potiphar, his wicked wife, prison, dreams, the interpretation of dreams, a baker and cupbearer, Pharaoh himself, and Joseph’s eventual rise to a position in the government of the land.

Until Egypt we did not know where Joseph stood in his relationship with the Lord. In his new home with Potiphar we see that Joseph pursues excellence in all that he does. He was unusually gifted and handsome to boot. The Scriptures tell us that his master “saw that the Lord was with Him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight…” and Potiphar made him overseer of all his home, second only to the master himself. “The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake…” And then Potiphar’s woman came along and tried to seduce this excellent young man. She badgered him day after day but he resisted. His final answer was, “How then can I do this great wickedness against God?” Power and prestige and a woman’s siren call did not do their negative work on this young man. And yet, he is accused of attempted rape and consigned to prison.

Lesser men or women would have thrown in the towel by this time. “Why me?”, we would cry out. “What have I done to deserve this? I was a good son. My brothers hated me and sold me into slavery. Not my fault.  I’ll never see my father again. I did right by Potiphar and where did that get me? I’m in prison. Woe is me!” The Bible tells us, “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and he gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” In this dismal environment he is once again noticed for his excellent character and abilities and is elevated to a high position, this time as overseer of all the prisoners.  Again we are told that “the Lord was with him, and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.”

Fast forward…In interpreting the dreams of two of the Pharoah’s servants, now prisoners, he gives God the credit for his knowledge of the meanings. “Do not interpretations belong to God?” Eventually, through a series of events, Joseph is brought before the Pharaoh for more dream interpretation. Again he gives the credit to God. “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”

Please read the story for yourself of how this superb young man is once again raised to a position of power, this time second only to Pharaoh, the king; how Joseph meets up with his brothers again and tests them to give him understanding of their hearts’ condition; his tender meeting with his daddy after so many years, as if resurrected from the dead; his father’s eventual death and his brothers’ fear that now Joseph will seek revenge for their great sin against him all those years before. Classic Joseph: “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid…”  Joseph’s last recorded words were to the children of Israel, “…you shall carry my bones from here” to the land God had promised to Abraham, to Isaac, to Jacob. In the New Testament book of Hebrews 11:22 we are retold that “By faith, Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instruction according to his bones.”

“Why all this?”,  you say, my sister. We are talking about faithfulness. God’s faithfulness is written all over Joseph’s story throughout all his severe trials from beginning to end. It is only because of His faithfulness to us that we can even begin to be faithful to Him.  But I am also drawn to Joseph’s faithfulness to our God. You and I have copies of the Bible scattered all around our houses. We have phones and tablets and apps and a myriad other tools at our fingertips. We have no excuse for not having a proper theology of God and His character, His ways, His promises for a future for ourselves and our people, not yet realized. Yet we falter and are often unfaithful in one way or another, even in the smallest things, let alone the biggies. Joseph had no copy of the Scriptures to read at night for encouragement when he was suffering. (Moses was not yet born, the author of Genesis.) He did not have Christian counselors or pastors or any books on victory through suffering. He had no family around him to offer shelter and comfort.  No, but He knew God, that He was Sovereign and in control of all things and that he, Joseph, would answer to God for his actions. He learned what he knew of God from his father, no doubt, and a personal walk with the Heavenly Father based on the truths he knew about God. We learn this from the few words of his recorded in the Scriptures, written for us as an example and to be encouraged and spurred on to faithfulness in our own lives.

Forgive me, O God, when I complain about anything in my life. Grant me faithfulness to You as Joseph was faithful–and more so like my Savior, Jesus Christ, the only One who is perfectly faithful.

Love

Cherry