God’s Faithfulness and Dependability

In John Bunyan's classic book, "Pilgrim's Progress", our heros depart from the path and become prisoners, locked in the dungeon of Doubting Castle which was ruled by the merciless Giant Despair. Pilgrim and his companion are beaten daily and deprived of all sustenance. When they are at their wits end, suddenly Pilgrim remembers that in his pocket he has a key called "promise" that will open any lock! Sure enough, the key opens the cell door, the dungeon door, and the castle door. Pilgrim and his companion run to freedom!

Nice story- what's the point?

God's faithfulness can be defined as his commitment to be 100% faithful to his word. God's faithfulness and his Word are linked together in scripture. That means God's faithfulness is seen in his promises. God gives us many promises – things he pledges to do or be for his people. And God is absolutely faithful to keep his word!

But those promises do us no good if they stay in our pocket. God has given us promises for eternal life, for help in trouble, for guidance and wisdom, for protection and refuge. But they don't do us any good if they stay in our pocket. When we are trapped in doubting castle, abused by a giant despair (ever been there?) we've got to take the promise out of our pocket!

We glorify God when we take him at his word. Let's lean on him and lean into him. He is faithful, we can depend on him. Let's honor him like little children who trust and rely on their father (fathers really dig that!)

"The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalms 18:2

The well wisher of your soul's happiness,

Pastor Tom

(Click here for passages to meditate upon this week)