Proverbs 20
Proverbs 20
Recently I have been reading through different Psalms as a part of my daily time with God. One thing I have noticed is how many times the descriptors of “steadfast love” and “faithful/ness” are used for God in the same sentence. In today’s Proverb, you will notice there are two different verses that follow this same pattern, but this time it is attributing these descriptors to people:
6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,
but a faithful man who can find?
28 Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,
and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.
In order for us to truly emulate these qualities in our own lives, we must first understand how they relate to God.
Steadfast Love
This could also be translated as “loving devotion”. Steadfast itself means strong, firm, not easily moved. Therefore we see that God’s love is not easily moved. We know that this can be true because of what Jesus has done for us to forgive our sin. Without Jesus, our sin pits us against God. But with the forgiveness of Christ, we are new creations, and there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ (Rom. 8:38).
Faithfulness
This could also be translated as “trustworthy, reliable”. This mainly means that God is consistent and does not change. What is he consistent in exactly? His attributes like holiness and sovereignty, his promises, his words, etc. Basically, God is who he says he is. You do not have to worry about God changing or not keeping his promises. He is consistently holy, consistently good, and consistently loving.
Without the grace of God in Christ, we have no hope in steadfastly loving or being faithful. But in Christ, these two qualities should be expectations of our sanctification. We should be growing in our loving devotion to God and others that is seen in how we live. We should be seeking to be faithful to obey God’s Word from a heart that honors him and loves him. What is keeping you from living that out fully?
Discussion: How have you seen God’s steadfast love and faithfulness in your own life?
By: Graham Withers
Recently I have been reading through different Psalms as a part of my daily time with God. One thing I have noticed is how many times the descriptors of “steadfast love” and “faithful/ness” are used for God in the same sentence. In today’s Proverb, you will notice there are two different verses that follow this same pattern, but this time it is attributing these descriptors to people:
6 Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love,
but a faithful man who can find?
28 Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,
and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.
In order for us to truly emulate these qualities in our own lives, we must first understand how they relate to God.
Steadfast Love
This could also be translated as “loving devotion”. Steadfast itself means strong, firm, not easily moved. Therefore we see that God’s love is not easily moved. We know that this can be true because of what Jesus has done for us to forgive our sin. Without Jesus, our sin pits us against God. But with the forgiveness of Christ, we are new creations, and there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God in Christ (Rom. 8:38).
Faithfulness
This could also be translated as “trustworthy, reliable”. This mainly means that God is consistent and does not change. What is he consistent in exactly? His attributes like holiness and sovereignty, his promises, his words, etc. Basically, God is who he says he is. You do not have to worry about God changing or not keeping his promises. He is consistently holy, consistently good, and consistently loving.
Without the grace of God in Christ, we have no hope in steadfastly loving or being faithful. But in Christ, these two qualities should be expectations of our sanctification. We should be growing in our loving devotion to God and others that is seen in how we live. We should be seeking to be faithful to obey God’s Word from a heart that honors him and loves him. What is keeping you from living that out fully?
Discussion: How have you seen God’s steadfast love and faithfulness in your own life?
By: Graham Withers
2 Comments
Most of the time we don't know what God is doing until we look back on our lives, then, through faith, we see with better clarity. Coming up on my 68th birthday, I have lots of "looking back" time to see God's hand all over my life. Steadfast love and faithfulness is all I can see. Thanks for your words today, Graham.
Hebrews 13:8 comes to mind. One way God has shown his steadfast Love and faithfulness is my tithes and offerings. Malachi 3:10, 2 Corinthians 8. My needs are always taking care of and have more money than month left over. Thank you for posting, enjoy reading and growing.