Monday, February 04, 2008

counting on God's faithfulness

I think oftentimes we sell God short in our own lives and in the lives of others. If we can just get hold of the truth that God is utterly faithful to us in Christ Jesus, this is how we can begin to see real change in us over time. And sometimes there will be highlights where we're gripped with something new, like being grieved over our sin, or a certain sin.

We must believe that God will never leave us, or fail to complete the good work he has begun in us in and through our Lord. There will be times when we feel utterly lost. Or that there is no hope for ourselves, or for another. This is where we must hold on and seek to draw near- in faith. In this way our soul can be anchored, in spite of everything that is hitting us in our lives. And believing this in prayer for others, that they would also be so anchored in Jesus through the storms of life.

God is utterly and completely faithful. This is true for us, no matter what we're going through. No matter how unfaithful we may have been or feel at the moment. Let's never give up, but keep steady in our faith in Jesus. Remember, we come to him just as we are, and he does the work through his blood, forgiving and cleansing us of all unrighteousness.

I have to count on this. I do so by keeping at what really matters most to us in Jesus: our time with him, and seeking to live that out through the day, meeting issues of the heart and life as they come. And refusing to give in to discouragement, but pressing on to follow and know him better, with others in him. That others might find this same faithful God through seeing Jesus in us, as they see that while we're just as human as they are, there is more to it than that in our lives.

How can we count on God's faithfulness for ourselves and for others? Or whatever thoughts you might have about this.

7 comments:

Ted M. Gossard said...

"sell...short" is meant as a metaphor.

Rachel Mc said...

I actually printed this out and I will carry this during Lent and try to work on "That others might find this same faithful God through seeing Jesus in us, as they see that while we're just as human as they are, there is more to it than that in our lives"
Do I sell God short sometimes? I don't know if I sell God short or myself short or this life short, etc. For me it all comes down to motivation and determination. I think I am a pretty good self motivator but I need to reach out to Jesus to help thru the really difficult times. I like thinking of my soul being anchored to God..this has me visualize myself in a terrible storm but hanging on to a strong, unmovable anchor that gives me great comfort as I tell myself "if you hang on it will be ok"

Every Square Inch said...

Ted

Amen! Nothing more to add to your fine post reminding us of God's faithfulness.

Anonymous said...

good words, ted.
i thank God for His grace upon us.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Rachel,
Thanks for your good words to us.

The older I get the more I realize the necessity of "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me". But it's also a life of living by faith in the Son of God. And I like your analogy of holding on to God, as to a strong and steady Anchor. Sometimes the storms do seem a bit long and hard. We have to keep holding on, and realize also that he is holding on to us.

Ted M. Gossard said...

ESI,
Thanks. I certainly like the content or truth of this post.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Amen, Nancy. We have no idea how in need of God's grace we are, and of how much we receive of that in Jesus, from day to day. Though we're told we must continue in the grace of God.