Trusting in the Faithfulness of God

Do you ever wonder if God has abandoned you? He saved you, but perhaps now you feel like He has left you on your own?

Whatever our trials or troubles may be, this post is just a simple look at three passages that encourage us to trust in the faithfulness of God. We can consider His faithfulness through two headings—the promise itself and the pain in which this promise was given.

The Promise: God is faithful.

First, Philippians 1:6 promises “that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Paul even introduces this promise with the words, “I am sure of this.” We can be sure that God who began His good saving work in us will bring it to sinlessness and glorification when Jesus Christ comes again.

Second, 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 promises much the same. Paul prays that “the God of peace himself” might “sanctify you completely” so that our whole person might “be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” That was Paul’s prayer, and here comes the promise—his next words are certain: “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” Like Philippians 1:6, we see that God is faithful to keep us blameless when Christ comes again.

Third, in 1 Corinthians 1:8–9, Paul refers to the Lord Jesus Christ as the one “who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Here we see the promise that Christ will sustain the believer until the time when Christ comes again. Moreover, just like 1 Thessalonians 5:24, 1 Corinthians 1:9 promises, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” The God who calls us into fellowship with His Son is the same God who faithfully keeps us for a future with His Son. 

The Pain: God was faithful to these churches in the midst of many difficulties.

The promise of God’s faithfulness is amazing. But it gets even better when consider the contexts in which this promise was given.

The Philippians faced persecution (Acts 16) and disagreement in the church (Phil 4:2).

The Thessalonians faced persecution (Acts 17), possible immorality among members (1 Thess 4:1–8), lazy believers (1 Thess 4:9–12), the grief of death (1 Thess 4:13–18), and concerns about the timing of the day of the Lord (1 Thess 5:1–11). Paul also encouraged them to follow leadership, be patient with all, do good, rejoice, pray, give thanks, and accept the Word of God (1 Thess 5:12–20).

The Corinthians faced persecution (Acts 18), division over leaders (1 Cor 1–4), immorality in the church (1 Cor 5), lawsuits among their members (1 Cor 6), marital issues (1 Cor 7), disagreements over matters related to idolatry (1 Cor 8–10), the reversal of marital roles (1 Cor 11:2–16), gluttony and drunkenness as they mishandled the Lord’s Table (1 Cor 11:17–34), an improper use of spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12–14), and misunderstanding about the resurrection (1 Cor 15).

Imagine the unrest at times for these churches as they faced external pressures and internal problems, both doctrinal and practical. And yet, if they were thinking biblically, they would remember that God promised to be faithful in keeping them and sustaining them until the day of Christ’s return. And that promise meant that He would do everything that was necessary for their spiritual welfare until that time. He would give them mercy, grace, and comfort through the church, His people, and whatever else they needed in order to bring them to that time. What an encouraging promise!

So again, here’s the promise—God is faithful. Trust Him! If He has saved us, He will also sanctify and sustain us, keeping us until the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. And then we shall know His faithfulness in full, together, forever, Amen!

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Photo by nikko macaspac on Unsplash

David Huffstutler is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. He blogs here, where this article first appeared. It is republished here by permission.