Central Thought: The Believers confidence should be In the Lord God Almighty, who is Forever Faithful
Hymn: When we walk with the Lord
Text: Proverbs 3:5-6, Mark 11:22-24, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 10:23, 1 Peter 4:19
Introduction:
Faithfulness is one of the attributes of God. This refers to His divine nature of adhering firmly to His expressed cause and of being reliable and worthy of trust. It is this character of God that galvanizes confidence in the heart of every believer who has this knowledge. The scripture is very clear and emphatic of the fact that God is a covenant keeper, and that His word can be trusted at all times. In Him there is no variableness of shadow of turning.
Trusting in God’s faithfulness is a disposition that ought to be evident in the life of every believer. Trust in a higher authority is an indication of allegiance steadfastness, loyalty and devotion. To trust in God’s faithfulness is to take and present Him as reliable and dependable in all circumstances of life. So we should live in such a way that our lives truly reflect our trust in His faithfulness.
This study is therefore intended to remind us that God cannot compromise His faithfulness, and that it is up to us to connect with Him.
Lesson Objectives:
- To explain why we have to trust in God
- To identify when to trust in God
- To explain how to trust in God’s faithfulness
- To list possible hindrances to trusting in God
- To list the benefits in trusting God’s faithfulness
Question 1.) Why do we need to exercise faith (trust) in God’s faithfulness?
To trust in God’s faithfulness is to sincerely accept His divine nature that He is capable and willing to keep to His promises for our good, and to see Him as reliable and dependable at all times. There are several reasons for which we must continue to trust in the faithfulness of God. Some of them are:
- According to Proverbs 3:5-6, it is an instruction from God to us, to trust Him with all our hearts, and He will direct our paths. So it is God’s expectation of the believer to repose confidence in Him.
- God does not disappoint (Numbers 23:19) He keeps to His word. In Him there is no variableness and no shadow of turning.
- He has the ability to execute whatsoever He purposes to do (Luke 1:37). There can be no obstacle on His way.
- He made provision for us right from creation and unto eternity (Ephesians 2:5-7). Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ this provision is a reality made possible by His grace and the Holy Spirit.
- He is the owner of the whole world (Psalm 24:1) and it is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32).
- He has defeated every enemy and has promised to save us in the day of trouble, provided we call upon Him in faith
- God is ever present with us in situation of life (Isaiah 43:2). He alone truly understands how we feel.
- The atonement wrought through the blood of Jesus is an eternal one and will never lose its power.
The class may suggest additional reasons why we need to exercise faith in God’s faithfulness.
Question 2.) When and under what circumstances are we encouraged to trust in God’s faithfulness? Psalm 23
As believers in Christ, we are to trust God at all times and in all situations, whether we are experiencing a time of peace or passing through trials of life. However, in very clear terms there are some special moments when it becomes inevitable to repose trust in God’s faithfulness. Some of such moments are presented below:
- When one has “hit rock bottom”, cast down, down trodden and lives in absolute nothingness, ignored, overlooked or unrecognized by the social order.
- In seemingly very critical and hopeless situations of life when it looks like one has come to the end of the journey of life prematurely.
- At moments of desperation and all that life appears to offer is the “do or die” alternative, then it is proper to turn our trust to God’s faithfulness.
- At moments of betrayal and disappointment orchestrated by dear ones or trusted friends, it is good to renew trust in God.
- At moments of setbacks or outright failure in endeavors of life to which we may have invested enormous resources, we need God for comfort.
- At moments of sorrow, grief and pain in our environment, God is available and beckoning on us to come.
- When we are under pressure or passing through some form of persecution or trials, it is the best time to have faith in God’s ability.
- Also, in time of prosperity, when we are favored on every front and our sun is shining bright for all to see, it is very important to maintain faith in God’s ability, and not be carried away by the momentary air or affluence around us.
- In time of great victories, and resounding breakthrough in life, we should not let down our guard, but rather be more vigilant with our trust in God. This is because the enemy is looking for our moments of ease and docility (Amos 6:1).
Question 3.) What are the practical steps involved in exercising faith in God’s faithfulness?
The first practical step in exercising faith in God’s faithfulness is to have a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ (John 1:12). It is this encounter that ushers us into a family relationship with God. By it we repent of our sins and we accept Christ into our lives as Lord and Saviour.
Next is to know His word through study and fellowship, believe it, and obey it and to be in steady communication with God (Proverbs 4:20-22). Then we should let our lives practically reflect the glory of God through display of Godly love, Godly lifestyle and bearing oral witness to our new life.
Our mouth must be properly guided when we exercise faith in God’s faithfulness (Psalm 89:1). This we do by positive confession and avoiding filthy words. Close to this is the need to resolutely reject contrary evidence intended to weaken our faith or silence our confession of faith. We must learn to verbalize our faith in God.
Furthermore, a child of God should not submit to complain, self-pity and shopping for public sympathy. These will weigh us down, distract us and present use with Satan’s alternatives. Habitual thanksgiving with a heart of gratitude and seed-sowing with every opportunity are necessary activities as we exercise faith in God’s faithfulness (Psalm 34:1-8).
To exercise faith in God’s faithfulness, we must be watchful (spiritually sensitive) and prayerful, and we must wait patiently on God for His timing and must avoid the syndrome of self-help.
Question 4.) What are some of the hindrances to exercising faith in God’s faithfulness?
There are several issues that can hinder the resolve to exercise faith in God’s faithfulness. These issues are found in attitudes, motives, lifestyles, and spiritual foundations.
The first of such issues is the existence of doubt, unbelief, negativism and double-mindedness. In this condition faith can never take root. We must feed our faith and starve our doubt by the study of the word of God. Being in wrong company or ungodly association will expose an individual to activities that will choke his faith and cause it to wither (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Another hindrance is submitting to undue pressure or fear and giving in to excessive anxiety when confronted with challenges. Under this the individual cannot be coordinated to exercise faith in God.
Yet another hindrance is living in sin and failing to break loose from its grips. A practicing sinner lives in self guilt and knows fully well that attempt to profess faith in God are just mere religious display.
Wrong doctrinal foundation could become a hindrance to the exercise of faith of God’s faithfulness. Such doctrines have made a class of Christians to accept that the days of God’s intervention (or miracles) are bygone.
When we put so much confidence in man or are fond of embarking on self- help because we feel we have the means, then we cannot exercise real faith in God’s ability. We will always go for this quick alternative. When overwhelmed by the spirit of impatience, jealousy, and rivalry, then trusting God becomes optional as the individual can go any length to have his way, and thereby hindering his faith.
Question 5.) What are the benefits of exercising faith in God’s faithfulness? Isaiah 26:3-4, Matthew 9:20-22
Those who trust in God’s faithfulness will experience peace and satisfaction, as the Lord becomes their refuge. They shall not be put to shame or disappointed; God will not let them down. They will experience stability and strength, because their nourishment is of God, and their prayers will be answered. When we exercise faith in God’s faithfulness consistently to the end of life’s sojourn, eternal salvation is guaranteed with great rewards.
Daily Living Application
God’s faithfulness is obvious when we look at creation, consider the Abrahamic covenant, the nation of Israel, the atoning grace in Jesus Christ and the empowerment of the Church through the Holy Spirit. A good knowledge of these should positively impact our resolve to have faith in God’s ability and His willingness to do as He has promised.
Life can be very frustrating when our confidence is not in God. Every other source of trust will end in disappointment. Believe God in every situation.
Memory Verse:
Isaiah 26:4
“Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength”
Daily Devotional Guide
Monday: Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Proverbs 3:5-6
Tuesday: Rest in the Lord and wait patiently
Psalm 37:7
Wednesday: Casting all your cares upon him
1 Peter 5:7
Thursday: By faith the wall of Jericho fell down
Hebrews 11:30
Friday: We have an advocate with the father
1 John 2:1
Saturday: It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man
Psalm 118:8