‘Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.’ (v9) Deuteronomy 7:7–9
Faithfulness is one acid test of love. When Katey, my wife, required the support of external care as multiple sclerosis developed, I well remember being advised by a social worker that it would be quite understandable if I couldn’t cope and chose to walk away from my marriage. I told her that, whilst I had little experience of my capacity as a carer, I’d made commitments before God, family and friends at my wedding that meant I didn’t enjoy the freedom to walk away.
It certainly was a rough ride. I learnt a lot about faithfulness from my many failures and few successes. Caring is not naturally rewarding; it demands grit and determination, qualities we need to go in search of. If love were no more than an emotion, faithfulness would crumble at the first obstacle.
Our model for faithfulness is found in God’s willingness to stay with us, despite those seasons in life when our love is lukewarm. God is never indifferent or apathetic, qualities that often affect our personal commitments. We can falter or fail countless times, yet God will always be there to pick us up, brush us down and encourage us to return to His welcome, loving embrace. Despite voices that tell us we lie beyond God’s love because of our attitudes or actions, remember God’s love is always unfailing (Rom. 8:38–39).
RELATED SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: 1 Chron. 16:34–36; Psa. 86; Rom. 5:1–11; Gal. 2:11–21.
AN ACTION TO TAKE: Where, and to whom, do you turn when life gets tough and you lose sight of a faithful God? It’s good to be prepared ahead of difficult times.
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, it’s said, ”When the going gets tough, the tough get going”. Help me stay with You and not walk away from You in such tough times. Amen.’
Photo by Denny Muller on Unsplash
