Being faithful is important in every area of life we can imagine. Can you think of any area of life where faithfulness would not be important? How about your job? How about playing on a sports team? Could a student get by without being faithful to study? Today's question is, "What about being faithful to God and His work?" There is no doubt that God and our faith requires a greater level of faithfulness than anything or anyone else.
2 Chronicles 16:7-10
7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. 8 Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this, you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars. 10 Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him because of this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at that time. This passage reveals three things about the importance of faithfulness.
FAITHFUL PEOPLE ARE BEING SOUGHT BY GOD
9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him ...
The point of verse 9 is that God is actively looking for faithful people He can bless. There's no doubt that since God knows everything He also knows whether or not we've been faithful to Him. This verse is the Bible's way of telling us what God expects of those who belong to Him. According to Psalm 139 there is no possibility of hiding from God.
Psalm 139
Many today are being blessed by God but there are many more whom God cannot bless. He wants to but He can't because of a lack of faithfulness. When we make ourselves blessable, He will bless us and use us in His service. Since this is what God clearly wants, why don't we want the same thing? It's because of that thing in our lives that keeps God from being able to bless us. For each person it's something different. Why not leave it at the altar so God can bless you and yours.
FAITHFUL PEOPLE ARE BECOMING RARE
9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him ....
Proverbs 20:6
6 Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?
A lot of us talk the talk but do we really walk the required walk? I must say that it's a lot easier to trust our credit card or bank account than it is to trust God. We find it easy to trust God with the small stuff but what about the big stuff like our finances, health, or job? The inner circle of the truly faithful is getting smaller and smaller and not larger and larger. It seems that the world is capturing more of our hearts as time goes by. Too many of us are not becoming more like Christ but less and less.
Psalm 53:2-3
God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!
God longs to bless His people more than anything else. But in order for us to receive His blessings, we'll have to make ourselves bless-able. Our faith and faithfulness will be tested in many different ways on an almost daily basis. The result of those testings will determine whether or not God can and will bless us. Ever sometimes wonder where God is? Ever need something from God that only God can do and not get it? Just maybe it's not God - maybe it's me! Maybe I'm the problem. Just maybe there is something in my life that is keeping God from blessing me. Perhaps a lack of faithfulness is the real problem.
Hebrews 11:16
And without faith it is impossible to please God.
In our minds we might say “I just can’t believe it”… that is impossible! I understand that it might not be probable, but with certainty I can tell you it is possible. In our doubt, we might say, Lord I can’t afford to pay my tithe. And money
could easily be a challenge in your life. But scripturally God says that a tenth of your income belongs to the Lord. And sometimes the challenge of some who say…that is Old Testament…and if you want to make that argument it's ok. But the New Testament says…“they sold everything they had and laid it at the apostle’s feet.”
So do you want to give the Old Testament style or New Testament? But whatever you decide, give it in faith. This message is not about money. It is about being faithful to God with your life. Money is simply an example of how we struggle with one part of life. We struggle over many things in life. We can be faithless in small things as well as large things. And over all, we are still faithless.
How do we become faithful followers? Put God above your own will and desires, which is how you allow Him to show you how to live your life. You must be willing to submit yourself and follow his commands, even if it means that you have to become less in the process.
Father,
Today I put you ahead of my own will and desires in life. I submit myself to you and I will follow your instructions for my life. Use me according to your will, all that I am, and all that I have. I surrender it all to you. I know I cannot do this on my own, and I am asking you to fill me with The Holy Spirit, and empower me to live a faithful life for you.
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