Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.  (Heb. 10:23)

How can we deepen our faith?  How can we share it?  How can we nurture it in our family and express it at work?  Because there is nothing more essential than our faith, it makes perfect sense to ask such questions.

Even though our faith in God is very important, we must remember that God’s faithfulness to us is even more important.   Whereas our faith waxes and wanes, God’s faithfulness never wavers. Whereas our faith is so often connected to our moods, God’s faithfulness is unshakeable.

We see evidence of God’s faithfulness in Jesus.  Why did Jesus come to this earth, even when He knew He would be rejected?  Why did He preach and teach, even when He knew His words would be used against him?  Why did He wash the disciples’ feet, even when He knew they would use those feet to run away?   Why was He willing to be scorned, betrayed, and die? Why?  His faithfulness to God and His faithfulness to our great need for forgiveness and grace.

Even though I write about the importance of God’s faithfulness, I wouldn’t want anyone to think that our faith in God isn’t important.  Of course it is.  I can’t imagine living without faith.  Without faith—and I’m sure this is true for many of you—I would be without heart and breath and hope and direction and identity.  And yet, again, God’s faithfulness is deeper and stronger than our own faith.

This is very encouraging news.   When we spend time resting in God’s faithfulness, our own faith will be strengthened.  Our relationship with God isn’t ultimately in our hands, we are not ultimately in charge, and God will not come and go depending on the comings and goings of our own faith.  God is there.  God will always be there.  There is no end, no limit to God’s faithfulness. Let us “hold fast” to that.

Reflection Questions:

1. In your own faith-journey, who have been the key people, the important events, and the essential decisions?

2. When you struggle with your own faith, are you more likely to harshly judge or be kind and patient to yourself? Why would you do the former when Jesus would prefer the latter?

3. Jesus’ faithfulness to you is more important, necessary, and powerful than your faith in Him.  What do you make of that?