What are God’s attributes? When we talk about the attributes of God, we are trying to answer questions like, Who is God, What is God like, and What kind of God is He? It is important to study and know God’s attributes so we can grow closer to Him. How we view God impacts everything. So when we understand and embrace who God is, it gives us a firm foundation for our faith. Each Friday we will look at the attributes of God. This week, God is faithful.
“O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? You are entirely faithful.” – Psalm 89:8.
What is faithfulness? Faithfulness is the act of being true to your word or promise. There are many hymns and songs based on God’s faithfulness. One of them is Thomas Chisholm’s “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”
God declared of Himself to Moses that He abounds in faithfulness “ The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6) God’s faithfulness is seen through Scripture and throughout the ages. 1 Corinthians 1:9 tells us, “God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Psalm 36:5 further says “Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.”
God is faithful. Faithful is an accurate description of who God is. He is trustworthy, reliable, dependable, and sure. It is who God is. If we would really sit down and think about it we would marvel at God’s faithfulness. It is not something we warrant. His truthfulness, holiness, love, righteousness, and other attributes ensure His faithfulness. He is incapable of being otherwise.
Paul wrote, “…God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13) God is faithful to forgive you even when you are unfaithful.
In these times remember God’s promise: “If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is.” (2 Timothy 2:13) It is God’s plan for you to become holy and advance His kingdom. And He is faithful to bring this to pass. Paul declared, “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6)
Isaiah 54:10 says, “For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,” says the LORD, who has mercy on you.”
Discussion Questions:
- How has God shown Himself faithful in your life? How does God’s faithfulness impact the living out of your faith day-to-day?
- How would you answer someone who asks, “Why do you trust God’s faithfulness?”
- What can you do this week to grow in your trust in the faithfulness of God?