The book of Lamentations is a book of agony and lament. Everything was falling apart as God’s people suffered. In the middle of the writer’s grief and fear, he interrupts his suffering by reminding his soul of an important truth about God:
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.
(“Great is Thy Faithfulness,” Chisholm, T. O., 1923)
I also need to tell my soul the truth about God’s faithfulness, daily. Hourly?! Our faithful God knows we need this, especially when we’re lamenting our sin or the pains of this sin-filled world.
He tells you and me to “think about these things….”
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable (Phil. 4:8 ESV).
With all the voices of untruth and partial truth flurrying around me, I need to remind my heart of God’s truth. Because those voices, even “religious” ones, are not always true—partial truth is still a lie.
And who is the father of lies?
Ah, let’s seek the Lord together in a “praise interruption” about God’s faithfulness, for His Word is true, beloved in Christ!
God is faithful! Great is Thy faithfulness!
O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O LORD, with your faithfulness all around you? (Ps. 89:8 ESV).
Have you not known, have you not heard
That firm remains on high
The everlasting throne of him
who formed the earth and sky?
(“Have You Not Known, Have You Not Heard,” Watts, I., 1707)
Although many think that “faithful” means God will give us what we want, the Hebrew word literally means that He is firm, steadfast, steady, and gives us His fidelity (like a completely perfect marriage vow). Unlike sinful human beings, His faithfulness is always sure, because He can’t be unfaithful to His children. It’s who He is. I’m resting there today.
Are you afraid his power shall fail
when comes your evil day?
And can an all-creating arm
Grow weary or decay?
God is faithful and true…today
He never lies (Numb. 23:19) and His Word (Scripture) is truth (Jn. 17:17). Beloved in Christ, what is the most-true evidence of His faithfulness to us? It’s Jesus Himself, the One who is “the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn. 14:6). So, what’s promised to those who are His? In Jesus, the Lord’s faithful, firm, steady, covenant love has been fulfilled, for you and me as believers.
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations (Deut. 7:9 ESV).
I will not remove from him my steadfast love, or be false to my faithfulness (Ps. 89:33 ESV).
So….what does this mean in our suffering today? In our own laments and cries for it to end?
Believers in Christ can hear His voice in Scripture and know it’s true, firm, sure, faithful. God helps us trust Himself, morning by morning and minute by minute. He tells us He’s conforming us more and more into the image of Christ, our beloved Lord and Savior (Rom. 8:29). This is the fruit our faithful God is growing in us, even as we suffer today.
If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31 ESV).
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!
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
God is faithful and true…tomorrow
God helps us trust Him with tomorrow because we’re His beloved children. We can trust that the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord (Jn. 1) is named Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11). Sisters, our suffering will absolutely come to an end one day! We have complete hope for tomorrow because He is going to return, restore all things to sinless perfection, and make all things new. It’s a true promise!
Supreme in wisdom as in power
The Rock of Ages stands.
Though him you cannot see,
Nor trace the working of his hands.
Material adapted from Near to God: A Devotional Bible Study of God’s Character in Our Suffering, Lauri A. Hogle. Copyright © 2022, Singing Christ’s Hope.
Singing what is true to my faithful God!
Let’s keep going! Let’s keep believing His firm faithfulness to us in every single moment, with assured hope in Christ until the very end! Let’s fight the lies of the enemy with actual Scripture. Let’s sing Scriptural truths to our hearts as we sing to our faithful God.
He gives the conquest to the weak,
Supports the fainting heart;
And courage in the evil hour
His heavenly aids impart.
I’ve professionally curated a YouTube playlist to sing to our faithful, true, steadfastly loving God. It’s Christ-exalting and gospel-centered because it’s in Jesus that we live and move and have our being. In this time of suffering, singing truth to our hearts helps us fight the enemy of our souls…who wants nothing more than for us to doubt who God is, doubt the gospel of Jesus Christ, and doubt His faithful covenant love for us. If singing these truths would bless you too, sign up here and I’ll send it to your email!
