Sunday – Faithfulness remains true to God’s will regardless of adverse circumstances.
“Do not fear…be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Rev. 2:10
When you think of the word faithful, what comes to mind? A geyser in Yellowstone? The Green Hornet’s servant, Kato? Your spouse? Why do we choose faithfulness; what are the ingredients; are there consequences for unfaithfulness?
Here’s a short list of some of the elements that make up this character trait: love, loyalty, indebtedness, obedience, commitment, and there are others. All of these are good, even essential. But for many of us, isn’t reward a big part of it too? And the antithesis: consequences. We go to work each day, we get rewarded. We don’t go to work, we get fired. We pay for our purchases, we get to keep and use them. We steal them, well, there are consequences. You get the picture.
These are choices we make daily, often without even a conscious thought. How many of us who aren’t military, police or fire have to consider Jesus’ admonition to the church at Smyrna [see above]…ever, let alone daily? Do you face choices that could result in death? Have you ever been persecuted for your faith? If you live in America, probably not, at least not to the point of death.
What does faithfulness look like from God’s perspective? There are the obvious answers: Don’t worship other gods. Don’t lie. Don’t murder. In fact I think there’s a list of 10. But what about relationship issues: gossip, jealousy, one-upmanship? As with so many other character qualities we’ve looked at, faithfulness is not an event—it’s a way of life. Faithfulness to our Father promises great rewards, e.g. a crown of life. But that’s icing on the cake—an extra benefit. We are faithful because of our gratitude to our savior for His faithfulness on our behalf. Today, let’s remember what Christ’s faithfulness cost Him and meditate on it throughout the day.
Father, thank You for being the same yesterday, today and forever. Thank You that no matter how far I wander, I can depend on Your faithfulness. Help me appreciate more fully the unfathomable price You paid on my behalf. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Monday – Faithfulness stays the course in spite of contrary counsel.
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” I Cor. 15:33
It’s hard enough to stay on the narrow path with good companions; it’s all but impossible with bad ones. I can remember periods in my life (high school being one of them) when the most important thing was being part of the “in crowd.” The worst thing, I thought then, was to be on the outside looking in.
I didn’t come to Christ until age 22—after my stint in the Army during Vietnam. So I didn’t have the Holy Spirit as a filter for choosing the best friends. As a result, the things I was faithful to were self-centered. And the friends I chose had similar values. It wasn’t long before I found myself circling the drain.
But God in His mercy had a plan for me. Through a series of events, including a collision with a center divider after drunkenly falling asleep at the wheel, He got my attention…and saved me. I’d like to tell you that from that day to this—over 50 years—I have always been faithful. That would be a lie. But I did begin to surround myself with better friends, ones who will share eternity. And together we began to grow.
So what’s the point? Even though God frequently uses one man to accomplish His purpose, the wisest man who ever lived told us it was better with two or three.[1] If your goal is faithfulness, and it is or you wouldn’t be reading this, make sure you choose your companions carefully. They will either encourage you to become more Christlike or they will be like a backpack of rocks weighing you down.
Men have a propensity to be loners. You know, we think we don’t need the touchy-feely relationships that women seem to. But that’s a lie from the pit. If you don’t have a close friendship with another man, you’re missing out on potential blessings. Look around your church, your work, your neighborhood. Maybe you’ll need to start by being a friend to someone. Don’t let any more time slip by thinking this is okay for other guys. You are one of the “other” guys.
Lord, I know it’s hard to stay on the path, but if I invite someone into my life, they’ll see how shallow I am. I recognize that my pride is alive and well in this area too. Thank you for shining your holy light onto this darkness. Show me how to be a friend and lead me to the men You want in my inner circle. In Christ’s name, Amen.
[1] Eccl. 4:9-12
Tuesday – Faithfulness does not depend on onlookers.
“Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be, for the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.” Psa. 12:1
If truth were told, don’t we all love the limelight: The lead in the school play, scoring the winning point, recognition from the boss in front of our peers? The male ego is a fragile thing that can’t take too many “hits” without scarring us…sometimes for life.
Did you ever assign an uncomplimentary nickname to someone—perhaps something associated with a body part (Dumbo, Pinocchio, Fat Albert, etc.)—and it stuck? Maybe your nickname is one of those and you’ve tried to live it down your whole life. Remember the kid’s retort: “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” Bull. Names can do immense damage.
But here’s the great news of Jesus. We can let it all go because we were never created to please the crowd—just the crowd of One. If we remain faithful irrespective of the circumstances or who’s watching, we will “delight” our Father.[1]
I don’t know your issues today. You may be the rising star of your company. Or you may be barely hanging on. But I do know this: God doesn’t experiment with us; He doesn’t send a trial our way and then say, “Hey Son, watch this.” Sometimes the circumstances of our life are God’s blessing; sometimes they’re for correction or reproof. But if our focus is on doing the right thing, because it’s the right thing to do not because of who may be in the stands, we can expect God’s stamp of approval: “Well done.” Do you feel alone? Good. Depend on God who has told us He would never leave or forsake us.[2]
Father, sometimes I feel that in following You, I’m alone. Encourage me through your Spirit to remain faithful to You and what I know to be right regardless of the crowd or lack of. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
[1] Prov. 12:22
[2] Heb. 13:5
Wednesday – Faithfulness trumps personal profit.
“And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.” Luke 19:17
Temptations come in all shapes and sizes. Most of them are small and subtle. But don’t ever mistake Satan’s sinful and evil nature with stupidity. He has been studying human nature for over six millennia. You know the classic “frog in the pot” example. Put a frog in a pot of cool water and slowly bring up the temperature. He’ll stay in and boil to death. Toss that same frog into boiling water and he’ll be gone in a flash.
We face similar degrees of testing. If you found a bag of money that had been dropped by a Brinks guard, you’d most likely return it. But what do you do when the clerk gives you an extra dollar in change? What about the office supplies that find their way home with you or the few extra minutes of break time?
Jesus talked about “a very little thing.” It’s not the size of the object; it’s our heart attitude—can we be faithful in a very little thing? Is there a size or amount below which it doesn’t matter? No. Either our heart is right, or it isn’t. Quantity isn’t the issue. If you read the rest of the parable in Luke, you’ll see that the second slave was only rewarded with half the amount of the first. But Jesus’ comment was the same. His reward was based on faithfulness—what he did with what he was given (a common theme in this book).
We are not all “ten talent” guys. The good news is that we’re not judged by a ten-talent standard if we’re only one or five talent men. Have you committed to always do the right thing, even when it’s a very little thing? What’s your water temperature today?
Lord God, thank You for the talents You have given me. I re-commit myself to doing the right thing—even if it’s a very little thing—because You have trusted me, and I don’t want to fail You. Keep me alert to the temptations, especially the subtle ones that find me and grant me victory over them through Jesus, my savior. In His name, Amen.
Thursday – Faithfulness does not fear man’s rejection or ridicule.
“O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge…”I Tim. 6:20
Have you ever gone to an away game and worn your team’s colors? You can feel the rejection, the condemning glares. But you’re there to support your team and you do it because you’re proud and fearless. I remember high school football rivalries that often ended in fights…just because.
Paul has a great word for Timothy: Don’t. He tells him to stay away from—don’t get sucked into discussions about things that don’t matter. Notice Paul doesn’t say to avoid the people making the arguments. He says to control the topic.
Like Timothy, we’ve been entrusted with eternal knowledge—the Scriptures. Sometimes, we’re anxious to “fly our colors” and prove that we’re right. But that approach rarely converts the unsaved to the truth. They dig in and prove their ignorance by defending lies.
We are not to fear man,[1] that’s true. And we are confident because we have truth on our side. However, we also need to remember that in discussions of Biblical truth, any rejection is aimed at our Savior, not us. We’re only the messenger. Yes, some messengers get shot. But we’re in a war with the unseen forces of darkness,[2] and we should consider it an honor to suffer ridicule and rejection for the cause of Christ.[3]
Jesus was giving a pep talk to His disciples just before sending them out and He told them not to fear physical harm/death, but to fear God.[4] Great advice for us today.
Father, I am grateful to be included in Your family and to be entrusted with the Truth. Grant me wisdom to share it with the right people in the right way and to avoid worthless arguments with those who don’t want to hear Your saving message. In Christ’s name, Amen.
[1] Psa. 56:11
[2] Eph. 6:12
[3] II Tim. 2:3
[4] Matt. 10:28
Friday – Faithfulness moves me to action.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” I Cor. 15:58
When I hear words like “work” and “toil” I think of a farmer’s world. Up before dawn, milk the cows, plant the field, harvest, repair equipment and fences, it never seems to end. There’s too much rain. There’s too little rain. There are bugs (and I don’t mean Bunny). But thank God for our farmers. I couldn’t live that life.
In 2009, I went with a group of guys to Panuco, Mexico to help build a kitchen for a small Baptist church that feeds over 100 kids each day. It was simple concrete block construction, two rooms, two stories and over 120 90-pound sacks of cement. We hauled and shoveled and mixed and poured and sweat. I don’t care if I never see another sack of cement. It was a blessing-filled week, but I couldn’t do that kind of work regularly either.
That’s the picture of hard work that Paul paints as he encourages the Corinthians (and us) to be faithful in our work for the Lord. The Christian life is not for wimps. How different would it be if we saw our boss—the Lord Jesus—every day. Would we still get discouraged? Still grumble? Although we can’t see Him physically, He’s as close as prayer. We need to remember that our work, whether “religious” or “secular” (shouldn’t be a distinction) is for the Lord.[1] And it’s His approval we seek.
If we are “in the Lord” as Paul says, we know our labor is not in vain. Scripture provides a glimpse, a type of dipstick if you will, to measure our “toil” level. Do we need to add a quart or maybe change it completely? Make today the day you commit to being steadfast, immovable, and abounding for the Lord.
Lord, even though I get tired and weary, You still have a place for me to work in Your field. Keep me conscious of Your presence and help me not to grumble or get discouraged as I wait for Christ’s return. In His name, Amen.
[1] Col. 3:23, 24
Saturday – Faithfulness knows the standard…and accepts it.
“O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?…He who walks with integrity…speaks truth…does not slander…In whose eyes a reprobate is despised… honors those who fear the Lord… swears to his own hurt…does not change… does not put out his money at interest… does not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.” Psa. 15:1-5
It’s been said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will get you there.” Isn’t it great to know that the Bible is very clear in identifying the Road to Heaven? And that there is only One?[1]
In every facet of our lives, we have standards that are the minimal acceptable behavior. And we choose which ones to follow. There are consequences for each choice we make—good or bad. The psalmist today lays out a few standards and a fabulous promise. When we don’t follow the standard, e.g. we exceed the speed limit, we must be willing to pay the fine…if we’re caught. I know I would drive slower if I was caught more often. The cops aren’t omnipresent (whew).
But God sees everything his children do[2] and keeps a record of it.[3] There are standards of civic life, standards at work, standards in families. I used to remind my kids that they were Thorntons. The implication being that we had a family standard that may or may not coincide with their peers’ families.
If we are striving to be faithful followers of “the way,” then it’s imperative we know God’s standards. Fortunately, they’re in the Bible. There’s a list of ten starting with “thou shalt and thou shalt not.” There’s also a list of two. You know, love the Lord your God and love your neighbor.[4] So once we know the standard, we have a choice to follow or not.
Personally, I like the promise of confidence if I follow the rules. As we’ve discussed many times, it comes down to this: Do I trust God to take care of me while I’m doing my best to take care of others? Has it become a way of life or is it a once-in-a-while event?
Father, thank You for Your clear Word which lays out the standard You expect. Strengthen me to hold on until the end. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
[1] John 14:6
[2] Psa. 33:18
[3] Rev. 20:12
[4] Matt. 22:37-39