2 THESSALONIANS 3:3 – But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

THEME OF THE DAY. THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE LORD. They are the four most important words a Christian must embrace in this life of trial and difficulty. In these four words unfold all the rich blessings from the Lord and the necessary strength to live the Christian life against its many foes and much challenge. Without these four words, we would never enjoy assurance in our relationship with the Lord; never rest confident that all things are working out for our good; ever remain steadfast in our walks with Him; and never cling to His love when life’s difficulties come with defeating power and discouraging force into our lives. These four words open today’s scripture . . . the Lord is faithful.

Take a journey through your past since the Lord made you His child. Think on all those seasons of suffering, of pain, of grieving, of confusion, of discouragement, even depression, that seemed to cover you like a heavy blanket. In looking back, in every circumstance, you can say, “The Lord is faithful.” He never failed you once. He never left you to yourself. He never gave up on you, even when you struggled with faithfulness to Him, He remained faithful to you. Take time now and praise Him for such faithfulness! But the Lord’s faithfulness to you, to me, isn’t about just looking to the past. Today’s scripture shows His faithfulness is in the present and future.

First the Lord is faithful to establish us now and in the future – He will establish you. This is His work of spiritually maturing us in the faith; of growing us to be stable, consistent, disciples of Him. How does He do this establishing work? By teaching us to lean on Him and His faithfulness to do the good work in us of conformity to His Son. The Apostle Paul gives us this insight in a familiar passage from his letter to the Philippian believers – And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). What God started, God finishes and that because of His faithfulness, not ours.

We also see the faithfulness of God today and for the rest of our days on earth of protecting us from the devil – And guard you against the evil one. Friends, we live life in enemy territory. The Bible describes this world as being under the temporary control, howbeit limited by God’s sovereignty, of the devil – In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4:4). Should we be afraid? No, not at all, but we should be wise and aware; aware that we are no match against the spiritual foes that fight us constantly – that our only source of strength and protection is the faithfulness of God who has promised to “guard us” in the warfare He has ordained to be the Christian life.

The four most important words in the Christian life are “the Lord is faithful.” Lean on them, cling to them, believe them, and they will prove to be true, not only in our past, but today, and in any tomorrows the faithful Lord gives us.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for Your faithfulness to me to not only protect me, but to spiritually grow me.”

QUOTE: “Four of the most important words to cling to in life’s storms and difficulties are “The Lord is faithful.”