You have to go through certain experiences to experience the faithfulness of God. The Christian journey is not just a walk in the park. Our adversary, the devil is always plotting and devising strategies to make us fail along the way. His aim is that we move from our right position with our Creator. He will use any trick in the book to ensure that we lose our balance and focus. But at the end of the day we should come out boldly and proclaim, "I will trust in the faithfulness of God."
I have come to realize that the devil will use two key instruments to attack us - trials and temptations. Remember, his aim is that we fall into sin which leads to death. He will either push you (through trials) or pull you (through temptations). What matters the most is not what the devil does, but is how you react or respond to his tricks. You need to resist him and stand firm. How do you stand firm if you to not trust in the faithfulness of God?
Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 40:6-7);
"All flesh is grass,
And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it;
Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades
But the word of our God stands forever"
God has promised not to leave us or forsake us. The sweetest words I always cherish from the LORD are often whispered in the midst of everything going on, when you feel you are alone or no one can understand what you are going through. He will come with that still voice and say, "I AM WITH YOU!" Sometimes it will make no sense but I choose to believe Him because I know He is faithful. Even when we are faithless, He remains faithful. His word stands forever. I trust in His faithfulness!
This year has been a year of learning for me. In different aspects of my life I have been learning new things and being exposed to new settings. Above all, I have been learning to serve my Master. Listen carefully when Jesus says, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls," (Matthew 11:29). What He meant was that we have to be His students, His disciples. In this instance the yoke symbolizes partnership with Christ and the Lordship of Christ.
The learning process is not easy, but Jesus is faithful to be on your side - when you choose to take His yoke. This learning process calls for obedience and submission to the Lordship of Christ - but He is such a humble teacher. Sometimes you may feel like giving up because of the amount of trials and temptations you face during the learning process - but He is such a gentle teacher. He is faithful to remind you, "I AM STILL WITH YOU!"
God is actively involved in the affairs of His people - those who trust in Him. In a few weeks we will be celebrating the birth of our Saviour, our Redeemer, the author and finisher of our faith, the Captain of our salvation, Jesus Christ. His birth was announced many years before it actually happened and Matthew captured the prophecy, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." (Matthew 1:23). Through His Son Jesus Christ, God chose to dwell amongst us and through the Holy Spirit, He is dwelling in us. He is with us everywhere we go and in whatever we are experiencing. He is watching the path of the righteous. He is faithful.
My dear friend, I have been quiet for quite long in this space, but I have been listening and learning - still I am learning. The biggest lesson I have learnt so far is that I can confidently trust in His faithfulness. Even when I go astray, He is faithful to bring me back to His path. His everlasting Word is the lamp on my feet which gives light on my path. Each step that I take, the light continues to shine a step farther. In Him there is no darkness at all.
Great is thy faithfulness!
