“So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
When God speaks, it is different than anyone else’s speech, not only because of the absolute truth of every word, but because of His commitment to be and to do exactly, and fully, everything that He declares. Man has not that capacity, for Scripture declares, “…Let God be true, but every man a liar.” (Rom.3:4) The reason for this is that man is born a sinner, without the capacity to be absolutely truthful. In addition to this, he has not the natural power and authority to know all things, so as to tell the truth, nor the ability, in knowing them, to be truthful concerning them. God alone is righteous and truthful, as was, and is revealed in Christ. It was the Lord Jesus Christ who declared ever so simply and profoundly, “I AM the truth.” (Jn. 14:6) He alone stands as the absolute standard, declaration, and manifestation of the truth, so that men might believe in God, and be saved from what they naturally are, sinners and liars.
One aspect of that revelation of truth is God’s faithfulness. How is God faithful, and why is He able to fulfill everything that He declares, and this without regard to time and space? The answer is found first in the fact that He IS truth and cannot deny Himself. Sinful man, living in a world of sinful men, has but one standard and example of what a “faithful” man is, and it is in Christ. He can be faithful, and will be faithful, because WHAT HE SAYS IS WHAT HE IS. Secondly, this living “Word” is powerful. As Christ is the objective truth of God revealed, He is also the power of God manifested. This is why the writer of the book of Hebrews declares not only that the word of God is quick, or living, but powerful. (4:12) That which God declares objectively speaking, will most certainly have its realization because of His power associated with that word. The word declares what He will do, and certainly accomplish. This is why, with respect to every believer being brought face to face with the faithfulness of God, the truth and power of God are revealed in Scripture, seen in Christ, so that the faith of the believer should rest in the power of God, not in the “wisdom of men.” (1 Cor. 2:5)
There are several instances in Scripture when the Lord specifically backs up what He says, or declares, with the phrase, “…God is faithful.” The first of these that we will consider is found in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:9) All that pertains to the believer’s calling by God, with regard to his fellowship, or communion with the Lord Jesus Christ, has been completely and perfectly provided for. There is nothing, objectively speaking, nor experientially (i.e., lived out by the Spirit of God), that has not been provided, nor made available in Christ. The man or woman who believes in the faithfulness of God stakes all upon his faithfulness, so that Christ may truly be known, glorified, in a fellowship with Him.
The second example of God’s commitment to faithfulness is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13. “God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able: but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” Here is the commitment of God in Christ, by the Spirit, to KEEP the believer, hide him, enable him to overcome. Sealed in Christ, all is provided by the Spirit.
Thirdly, Paul writes of being sanctified wholly, spirit, soul and body, preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. “Faithful is He that calleth you who also will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24)
Dear Father, Show forth Thy faithfulness in us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.