Worship Devotional LXI
Originally posted to the Facebook group on 2/20/2021.
Worship Devotional for 2/21/21
Last week for Valentine's Day we sang about love Christ has for His bride, the church. This week is about something that goes right along with the love of God — His faithfulness. Time after time in Scripture, God has proven His faithfulness; indeed, the whole of Scripture put together tells us that God is faithful. Even when His people were unfaithful to Him, His faithfulness was and still is steadfast and true. As David declared in Psalm 36:5-7:
"Lord, Your faithful love reaches to heaven, Your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments, like the deepest sea. Lord, You preserve man and beast. God, Your faithful love is so valuable that people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings."
And in Psalm 63:3:
"My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life."
Who is like God, perfectly faithful in love and righteousness and justice and truth? There is no one who compares. He fulfills every promise and prophecy that He has given us by His Spirit. We have seen Him do it before, so let us keep on believing that He will do it again and again and again, because God can only ever be true and faithful! This is a great encouragement for all of us, no matter what we are going through, because in whatever we are faced with, God is still faithful. Even if we are faithless, He remains true.
2 Timothy 2:11-13:
"This saying is trustworthy: For if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."
So don't look to the world or any earthly kingdom or leader or any man or manmade thing for a promise to cling to. They will fail you, lie to you, deceive you, and ultimately disappoint you. God's promises, however, are all true and guaranteed to be fulfilled based on His never-changing, steadfast faithfulness. Let us cling to His word by faith and delight in His faithful love, for one day everything will be fulfilled and we will be with Him in glory forever.
Here are the songs:
Lamentations 3:22-23:
"Because of the Lord's faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!"
James 1:17-18:
"Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the firstfruits of His creatures."
Hebrews 13:5-8:
"Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you or forsake you.' Therefore, we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?' Remember your leaders who have spoken God's word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
If God is always faithful and provides for us everything we need and is always with us and loves us, then why do we run to those who are not faithful? Let us turn to God, our faithful Father in heaven, and trust in Him completely, for He never fails.
2) Do It Again by Elevation Worship
Often when things appear bleak and we don't yet see God moving in a certain situation or circumstance, we are tempted to doubt God's faithfulness. In these times of waiting and uncertainty, it is helpful to look back on the times when God has been faithful before. He hasn't failed you yet — not even once. In remembering the times that God has been faithful before, we can find confidence and assurance that He will be faithful again. His promises still stand and we are still in His hands, so let's trust and praise Him while we wait for Him to fulfill.
Remember also that His faithfulness is to His perfect nature and character, and not to our sinful and fallen nature. He is faithful to His word, not our opinions or ideas or expectations. As we wait for Him to fulfill in His timing, let us surrender our expectations and ideas of what He should do and renew our minds according to His word. Then, when He does act and fulfill, we will not be surprised or let down, but rather see and understand how great His faithfulness really is.
3) Faithful Now by Vertical Worship
This song follows the same concept — that God has been faithful before, so He will also be faithful now. Sometimes fear and doubt come in to try to smother our faith. When that happens, declare the faithfulness of God and remember the times He has come through with His power and strength and salvation. He was faithful then, and He'll be faithful now.
4) Always Faithful by Ashes Remain
The simple and yet glorious truth that we declare is that God is faithful. Even if you are struggling right now and going through a dark time in your life, you can look up and praise God for His faithfulness, because He hasn't stopped being in control or ceased to reign over all things. Things may be hard right now, but His faithfulness will carry you through. So lift your eyes and your voice and put your faith in Him who is always faithful.
Theme(s): Faithfulness
Scripture references:
Genesis 8:15-9:17
Deuteronomy 7:7-10
Joshua 21:43-45
1 Samuel 17
Psalms 18, 32-34, 36, 40, 57, 89, 91, 92, 98, 105, 117, 118
Isaiah 55
Lamentations 3:21-26
Matthew 21:18-22
Acts 16:25-34
1 Corinthians 1:4-9, 10:13
Philippians 1:6, 4:19-20
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5
2 Timothy 2:11-13
Hebrews 10:19-25, 13:5-8
James 1:16-18
Revelation 19:11-16, 21-22