Focus and Faithfulness

Focus and Faithfulness

“I promise. You can count on me and I won’t disappoint you.” It’s a common saying and we probably have said it a few times to family or friends, implying a personal assurance. This same assurance equates with our walk with God. Throughout the Bible, God embraces faithfulness as one of His foundational characteristics and it’s expected from all His children. Our focus and faithfulness go together like faith and works. Without works, our faith is dead, James 2:17: “In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” Without faithfulness, our focus vanishes. Our current society has an enormous absence of faithfulness, where even temporary commitments fade, and people grow weary of doing any good and embrace evil. Galatians 6:9-10: “So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to those in the family of faith.” We all will have moments when our faithfulness runs up against intense discomfort and we begin to weaken; resist that impulse, as true faithfulness is revealed in these difficult times. Hebrews 3:14: “For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.” To reinforce ourselves: we can read and obey His Word, pray continually with confidence, be authentic in all things, and bring our hearts to Him through praise. Jesus taught, Luke 16:10-11: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?” ?Faithfulness comes effortlessly when life flows smoothly. But on the hardest day of our lives, when trouble looms on every side, how do we remain focused and faithful, especially when we can’t see any way through problems? Take one more step of faith. When we feel absolutely alone, take one more step. When the darkness presses in, take one more step. Remain focused on the promise that He made to us. Remain faithful to take just one more step. 1 Peter 1:7: “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold, though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” ?On the path that He opens before us, He waits with hands outstretched. He has not abandoned us. He is working everything out for our good.