Lam. 3:16-24, Communicable Attributes (12, Faithfulness)

h)    Faithfulness: He is mindful of His covenants, & fulfills all the promises He makes.  [The term “promises” is a legitimate word in Scripture.  But here’s something to consider.  Every word God’s speaks is, in a sense, is a promise because it is true.  Every word can be counted on.  In 1 Ki. 8:56 the NKJV refers to “all that He promised.”  The Hebrew word is dabar, used 1,143x in the OT, and translated speak, declare, converse, promise, warn, threaten, command, sing.  If God warns, He will be faithful to do what He warned about.  If He threatens, He follows through.  If He declares, those who receive the word can count on it to be effective.  His word is never vain or empty.  Here are some situations where this is seen.  In the NT there is a Greek term (epangelia) that has the sense of promise of good or blessing (e.g. Rom. 9:4).]

Psalm 9:10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.  Oh, that we would believe this.  If you seek the LORD He will make sure you find Him.  Jer. 29:13 applies this to the people of Israel in captivity: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Lamentations 3:22-23 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. These familiar words were Jeremiah’s solid rock in the lowest time of Israel in the OT, when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by Babylon.

1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  The context here is God’s promise to keep us blameless until the day of Christ.  See also 1 Thess. 5:23-24.

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.  This needs to be in every believer’s arsenal.  Every phrase is a promise that God is faithful to keep.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.  Fear of the devil should be kept in check.  As John said, Greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world (1 John 4:4).

2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.  This is my favorite.  He keeps His word, even if I do not keep mine.

Deuteronomy 7:9 “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.  This was the word for Israel as they prepared to enter Canaan.  God keeps His covenants (those are “promises”).  God keeps His “mercy,” which is checed, all God’s variety of blessings.  Again, whatever God is and says, He is faithful to be and do!