Faithfulness of God

God is true to his nature and to his word

1. To say that God is faithful means that God is true to his nature and to his word. He will act according to His nature. God will fulfill or do what He said He would do. He is dependable. We can always rely on Him.
2. Scripture. See Old Testament examples Psalm 25.10, 26.3, 115.1, 138.2, Isaiah 16.5. New Testament examples include Matthew 6.1-7 which says that God knows and cares for his people; Luke 12.6-7 which says that God knows all about his people and values us; Luke 12.22-34 which says do not worry because God knows everything and values his people; for example, Luke 12.27, Jesus said to consider the lilies. Peter gives the statement of the doctrine in 1 Peter 5.7. Others are below.
3. Words that mean faithful in the Old Testament and New Testament. The Old Testament uses the words אֱמֶת emet firmness, faithfulness, truth, Strong 571; ‘emunah אֱמוּנָה firmness, steadfastness, fidelity, Strong 530; and ‘emun אֵמֻן trusting, faithfulness Strong 529; from ‘aman, אָמַן to confirm, support, Strong 539. The New Testament uses the word pistos πιστος, Strong 4103, which in the passive means trustworthy, faithful, dependable, inspiring trust of faith. In the active it means trusting, believing. The faithfulness of God uses the passive sense. The Bible teaches us that God is true to his word and to his nature.
4. Old Testament Scripture examples.
   1. Deuteronomy 7.9 the faithful (אמן aman niphal participle) God. He keeps his covenant and lovingkindness to those in Israel who love and keep His commandments.
   2. Deuteronomy 32.4 Moses’ song declares that God is characterized by faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה ‘emunah). This is Moses’ statement before his death. The backdrop for this statement is God’s selection and formation of the nation Israel. God did what he said he would do. He has always been faithful to the people.
   3. Psalm 89. 1,2,5,8,24,33,49, (אֱמוּנָה ‘emunah) all together stress that God always is true to his word and his nature.
   4. Psalm 91.4 God’s faithfulness (אֱמֶת emet) forms a shield and fortress or wall that protects.
   5. Psalm 92.2 God is faithful (אֱמוּנָה ‘emunah), but here we are shown that it is good to thank God and recognize his lovingkindness and faithfulness through prayer and through song.
   6. Psalm 100.5. The LORD is faithful (אֱמוּנָה ‘emunah) to all his people throughout all generations—throughout time. The LORD is God, creator, good, lovingkindness, and faithfulness. We have reason to shout, serve, sing, praise, thank, bless.
   7. Psalm 117.2 The LORD is faithful (אֱמֶת emet) to what he says. This word is parallel to his lovingkindness חֶ֫סֶד hesed, an attribute of Yahweh.
   8. Psalm 119.86 says that all the commandments are faithful (אֱמוּנָה ‘emunah)—God will keep all of them. They are true and unmovable. They give support to the believer.
   9. Psalm 119.90 tells us that God’s faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה ‘emunah) goes on and on and on, generation after generation.  His word is sure and settled, so his faithfulness.
   10. Isaiah 11.5 speaks about messiah. Faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה ‘emunah) is the belt. Loins and waist are the same Hebrew word chalats. The support for him.
   11. Isaiah 49.7 God the Father is faithful (אמן aman niphal participle) to the servant messiah.
   12. Lamentations 3.23 God is faithful (אֱמוּנָה ‘emunah) to believers each and every day, day in and day out. Each day has its own benefits; why? because God is faithful.
5. New Testament Scripture πιστός pistos adjective in all verses below
   1. 1 Corinthians 1.9 says God is faithful to supply every spiritual blessing to believers and to keep believers secure in His plan so they will be accepted by Him when Christ returns for them. Eternal Security by God’s provision.
   2. 1 Corinthians 10.13 says God is faithful to protect the believer from any test that is too much for his spiritual understanding and level of spiritual growth.
   3. 2 Corinthians 1.18 says that God is faithful. In context He does not vacillate. What He says is definite and will be done.
   4. 1 Thessalonians 5.24 says God will keep the believer secure and accept them when Christ comes for the church.
   5. 2 Thessalonians 3.3 says the Lord (Christ) is faithful to protect believers from the evil one.
   6. 2 Timothy 2.13 says that Christ is faithful to all those in Him. He views believers as joined to Himself.
   7. Hebrews 10.23 says God is faithful to all that believe in Christ. The believers hope for eternal life is well founded. Christ is the high priest. He will faithfully carry out His high priest responsibilities for the believer.
   8. Hebrews 11.11 says God is faithful to fulfill His word.
   9. 1 Pet 4.19 says God the sovereign creator is faithful to the believer that is undergoing undeserved suffering.
   10. 1 John 1.9 says God will always forgive the sin that the believer confesses his sin.
6. To say that God is faithful means that God is true to his nature and to his word. He will act according to His nature. God will fulfill or do what He said He would do. He is dependable. We can always rely on Him. God is faithful does not promise that everything will turn out the way we want it to turn out. It does mean that as long as we are alive God is faithful to do what he has said. He is faithful to us no matter what the circumstances—in suffering, in great happiness, in dying, in discouragement. He is faithful to us. He was faithful to
   1. To Abraham throughout all the years of waiting for Isaac
   2. To Moses through the years of training, testing, leading, and dying.
   3. To Joshua throughout the years of battle in Canaan
   4. To Jeremiah while the people he ministered to rejected him.
   5. To Ezra and Nehemiah through the good and the bad.
   6. To Peter even when Peter was unfaithful
   7. To Steven when he was being stoned.
   8. To Paul on the road, in cities, in jail, and at his execution.
   9. To you and me throughout our entire life as believers.
7. Do we trust God in every circumstance and every day?