"Perfect Faithfulness"

 

“Perfect Faithfulness”

(Please read “A Sobering Question” before this article.)

 

Shortly after moving to Lakeland in 2014 God led me to begin a men’s Bible study group in our 55+ (actually ++++) community. Of the six original attendees two are with the Lord and the other four are still actively involved. Several years ago one of the founding members shared that something he’d seen in God’s Word “wasn’t there the last time I read that passage.” We all laughed at his comment but got the point: it’s easy to read Scripture carelessly and overlook some of its truths, especially the parts we’re most familiar with. Perhaps this is part of the reason God tells us to “meditate” on it about 17 times rather than simply read it.

I had the same experience as did my friend a couple of days ago. I was reading Isaiah 25 and in Verse 1 God’s prophet says, “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” (Emphasis added.) I’d never noticed the highlighted phrase previously so I did some research. The Hebrew word translated “perfect” appears only here in the Old Testament and comes from a root meaning trust or certainty. (In Isaiah 26:3 the writer uses a different word, meaning secure, for “perfect peace”.) The fact that the Spirit prompted Isaiah to use a distinct word suggests that God’s faithfulness is unlike any other and is unmatched in its significance. (See the early posting, “Coining Words”, for an example of how God created a word to describe the unique nature of Scripture.)

Many times in His Word God’s faithfulness in different ways is emphasized. These include….

*In keeping His covenant of love (Deuteronomy 7:9).

*In keeping His promises (Psalm 145:13).

*In calling us into fellowship with Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:9).

*In delivering us through temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).

*In completing what He’s started in us (1 Thessalonians 5:24 cf. Philippians 1:6).

*In protecting us from satanic influence (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

*In forgiving our sins (1 John 1:9).

“Perfect faithfulness” may seem redundant but it stresses the truth that despite our shortcomings “…He will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13, emphasis added). In other words, He can never compromise who He is. So right now let’s praise Him for His “perfect faithfulness”.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan