[377 words]
“Come and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul. I cried to Him with my mouth, and He was extolled with my tongue. If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear; but certainly God has heard; He has given heed to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me” (Psalm 66:16–20).
We must remember that God’s faithfulness to His people is always colored with His grace. No one should say, “Yes, I know that God is faithful, but unless we exhibit perfect obedience to Him, we nullify His obligation to carry out His promise to us.” God requires obedience of His people, but not one of us can bring Him flawless obedience. It is for this reason that we see the word “lovingkindness” so often in the Old Testament. God in His great love and eternal kindness has made a covenant with His people. He says, “My lovingkindness I will keep for him forever, and My covenant shall be confirmed to him” (Ps. 89:28).
God’s faithfulness demanded the cross. God said to man, “I will expect you to walk before Me with a trusting, obedient faith. I know that you will sin, but I will forgive your sin as I keep my promises to you.” Every time a sacrifice was made at the tabernacle or temple, God was making another promise to man. He said, “I will receive your sacrifice on one condition: I will accept it on the basis that one day I will offer the full and complete sacrifice for sin.” Jesus came in the fullness of time and offered Himself as that eternal sacrifice. He was the vindication of God’s truthfulness. Paul said,
“Whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed…so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:25,26).
God’s grace and faithfulness give us hope. Because of His grace and faithfulness, we know that we can depend upon God.
Eddie Cloer
Truth for Today Daily Devotionals