Letters of Hope

Dear Ones, 

We are often drawn to contemplate God’s faithfulness, and I frequently pause to read again that 80-year old inspired hymn, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”  I can generally get the sense of a word from its use but it is sometimes good to check the official definition.  It is actually defined as meaning “true or trustworthy in performance of duty, or the fulfillment of a promise or obligation;  constant;  loyal;  worthy of belief or confidence;  truthful.”  

Reading a familiar piece out loud can sometimes drive home the truth of its content with fresh clarity.  It enters the mind through the ear-gate as well as the eye-gate, so carries double strength.  Read these verses with me – slowly – meditating on each phrase:- 

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.

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.

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!

             (Thomas O. Chisholm, 1866-1960)

In God’s early dealings with His people He was declared to be “the FAITHFUL GOD Who keeps His covenant and mercy to those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations.”   “HIS FAITHFULNESS is established in the very heavens;  the heavens praise His wonders, and HIS FAITHFULNESS in the congregation of the saints.” 
(Deut. 7:9;  Psalm 89:2,5) 

The Apostle John assures us that  “If we confess our sins, HE IS FAITHFUL and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”   This sets us on the path of  “walking” with Him, and learning to know and experience His faithfulness to us – personally!  That’s why it was necessary for Jesus to become like us, so that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest enabling Him to atone for our sins.   “…the LORD IS FAITHFUL, Who shall establish you, and protect you from the evil one.” (1 John 1:9;  Heb. 2:17; 2 Thess. 3:3)   

So, then, we may hold unswervingly the profession of our faith, without wavering, for He Who promised is faithful.  Another one of His promises?:  “There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but GOD IS FAITHFUL, Who will not allow you to be tempted above what you can bear, but will, with the temptation, also make a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  (Heb. 10:23; 1 Cor. 10:13) 

“FAITHFUL is HE WHO CALLS YOU, Who also will do it…” (1 Thess. 5:23,24)   

It is good to proclaim His Lovingkindness in the morning, and His Faithfulness every night.  Indeed, “His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning.  GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS.”   (Ps. 92:2;  Lam. 3:23)  

“Now the God of all HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE in the believing,
that you may abound in HOPE
through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
(Romans 15:13)

In Agape, Eulene