God Is Faithful

TEXT: Lamentations 3:21-23;  1 Corinthians  1:9     (1-10)

Introduction: Note the phrases – "God is Faithful" & "Great Is Thy Faithfulness."

    There is much that has been preached concerning the "Faithfulness of Saints", but this morning, I want us to consider the "Faithfulness of God".

    In the Book of Lamentations, we read a series of dirges or poems of mourning, that were written against the backdrop of the Babylonian invasion and consequent destruction of Israel.

    In the pages of this particular book we can see the awful sufferings endured by the people of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar.

Jeremiah, known as the "Weeping Prophet", recorded these events in the Book of Lamentations.

    Jeremiah had a difficult calling from God – A study of his life reveals that he often endured sadness and deep depression –

·     Jeremiah received an unwanted call to minister – (Jeremiah 1:5-6)

·     Jeremiah was called to preach nothing but judgment (Jeremiah 1:9-10)

·     Jeremiah was forbidden to marry, and as a result was quite familiar with loneliness (Jeremiah 16:1-13)

·     Jeremiah was a man of deep sadness, and he wept openly about the sins of his people (Jeremiah 9:1)

·     Jeremiah’s message went unheeded for 50 years, and he went through great periods of depression – Once he even tried to get out of the ministry (Jeremiah 20:9)

·     Jeremiah suffered imprisonment by King Zedekiah, who did not approve of his preaching (Jeremiah 32:5); Even as the Babylonians invaded the city in fulfillment of his prophesies, he was sitting in a dungeon (Jeremiah 32:2)

·     After the Babylonian captivity begins, Jeremiah does not gloat, but rather, he enters into suffering with his people (Lamentations 1-5)

Ø      It is here that we find our text in Lamentations 3:21-23 – After all that Jeremiah had endured, among the rubble and ruin of Jerusalem, he is able to stand forth and lift his voice in praise to God for His great, unfailing Faithfulness to His people!

Ø      How was Jeremiah able to do this? Jeremiah had a great perspective on just Who God really is! Whether or not things went well, Jeremiah knew that God is still God and that He would be eternally faithful to His people!

Ø      Like Jeremiah, we all go through difficult and trying times. When these times come to us, let us consider Jeremiah’s witness of God’s Faithfulness!

Ø      Let us look at 3 words in this passage in Lamentations to learn some valuable lessons concerning the Faithfulness of God – mercies; compassions; faithfulness.

I.           God’s Love (Lamentations 3:22a)

A.        "Mercies" is translated "loving-kindness" over 30 times in the O.T.

B.        This word is very expressive and conveys all of the ideas of "love, grace, mercy, faithfulness, and devotion.

C.        It has been said that "God is the divine lover of men" – surely the Word of God expresses this idea in many passages.

D.        Let us consider 3 Aspects of God’s Faithfulness to Love Mankind

1.      The Scope of God’s Love

a)      John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

b)      Romans 5:6-8 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

c)      1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

d)      There is no one beyond the reach of God’s Love.

e)      God’s Love is able to save from the uttermost to the uttermost!

2.      The Strength of God’s Love

a)      Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

b)      Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

c)      John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

d)      Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

e)      God’s Love knows no boundaries; His Love can save the vilest sinner.

f)       It is a love that can never be broken – It is an eternal, unconditional love.

g)      Saved or Unsaved – God Loves YOU!

3.      The Source of God’s Love

a)      1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

b)      Love is not just something that God does – It is something that God is – God is love! It is an attribute of God – His character is love!

c)      This does not mean that God is weak and unable to enact judgment; it simply means that God IS Love!

d)      Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.

e)      There is nothing that happens that God is not in complete control of – There is nothing that happens that does not pass through the filter of His love and His will for our lives.

II.         God’s Grace (Lamentations 3:22b-23b)

A.        "Compassion" literally means "womb", and it carries the idea of "being moved in the heart out of love for another".

B.        The word is a picture of the Grace of God!

C.        As we pass through our storms and our valleys, we do not go through them alone!

D.        God observes our paths, and He gives "grace" for the journey.

E.        There are 2 important aspects taught here concerning the grace of God:

1.      God’s Grace Is Sufficient

a)      "His compassions fail not" (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

b)      Regardless of the difficulty – God’s Grace is always sufficient to see us through.

c)      We can take comfort in knowing that God is still God; He is Faithful to help us face every battle and storm of life!

d)      He always has our best interests in mind.

Isaiah 43:1-2  But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

2.      God’s Grace Is Sure

a)      Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

b)      Just as every new day brings with it its own set of burdens and problems, so each day witnesses a new, unfailing, all-sufficient supply of God’s marvelous, matchless, wonderful, amazing grace!

III.       God’s Faithfulness (Lamentations 3:23b)

A.        "Faithfulness" is a word that means "firmness, fidelity, steadiness, steadfastness".

B.        The word pictures God as One upon Whom we can depend!

C.        God will ever prove Himself to be steadfast and faithful to us!

D.        There are many ways in which the LORD proves Himself Faithful – Let us look at four in particular:

1.      His Presence

a)      Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

b)      Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

2.      His Performance

a)      Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,     

3.      His Provision

a)      Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

b)      Psalm 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

c)      Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

4.      His Person

a)      Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

b)      Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

IV.      God Is Faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9)

A.        There are certainly many other ways in which God Is Faithful –

B.        God is Faithful to Seek Sinners

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

1.      God is Faithful to Save Sinners

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2.      God is Faithful to Succour (Sustain) Tempted

Hebrews 2:14-18 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

3.      God is Faithful to Strengthen the Brethren

Luke 22:33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

4.      God is Faithful to Send for the Church 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

5.      God is Faithful to Satisfy the Soul

Isaiah 58:11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

 Psalm 90:14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

CONCLUSION: Have YOU put YOUR Faith in God Who Is Faithful? Why not trust Him as YOUR Personal Savior right now?