The Faithfulness of God (05/01/2022)

The Faithfulness of God (05/01/2022)

May 1, 2022

OPENING SCRIPTURE

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. 22 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; GREAT IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS. (Lamentations 3:21-23 NKJ)

  • Definition: lamentation – passionate expression of grief or sorrow. The loss of a loved one, a bad doctor’s report, a situation that has gone from bad to worse. No hope.
  • Just recently as we are watching in the news the destruction of the nation of Ukraine and there is nothing you can do but pray.
  • The year is 586 B.C. That means nothing to you and me but that meant everything to the historic Jew. It was their 9/11. Their nation had just died, the Babylonians have invaded Jerusalem.
  • As believers we are no promised a life without difficult times, challenging times, stormy times, times of confusion, times of doubts.

Here’s what God promises you: His Faithfulness.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF FAITHFULNESS?

  • Faithfulness: “Worthy of Faith”, “I will keep my word”, “I will not fail you”
  • When you need more faith, you turn to the One who is faithful- Full of faith

“If we are FAITHLESS, He remains FAITHFUL” (2 Timothy 2:13 NKJ)

  • When we lack faith- faithless, He remains faithful- full of faith.

“Forever, O Lord, YOUR WORD IS SETTLED in heaven. 90 YOUR FAITHFULNESS ENDURES TO ALL GENERATIONS; You established the earth, and it abides. (Psalm 119: 89-90 NKJ)

  • Faithfulness is equated with God’s Word. Always constant. Always the same.
  • His faithfulness can be trusted.

#1 GATHER HIS WORD

16 This is the thing which the Lord has commanded: ‘Let EVERY MAN GATHER IT according to each… 21 So THEY GATHERED IT EVERY MORNING, every man according to his need.” (Exodus 16:16, 21 NKJ)

  • Manna is God’s Word. Symbolizes God’s faithfulness.
  • We are commanded to gather it daily- to experience His faithfulness!

#2 FEED ON HIS FAITHFULNESS

35 And the children of Israel ATE MANNA FORTY YEARS, until they came to an inhabited land; they ATE MANNA until they came to the border of the land of Canaan. (Exodus 16:35 NKJ)

  • They fed themselves for 40 years on the faithfulness of God.
  • They did not have to trust God. God provided for them until they came to Canaan. Then manna stopped. “they ate manna until they came to border of the land of Canaan”

TRUST in the LORD, and DO GOOD; DWELL in the land, and FEED on HIS FAITHFULNESS. (Psalm 37:3)

  • After they passed through the wilderness and into the Promised Land, trust and faith became important.
  • Faith became a factor because God was preparing another kind of manna, one that would require Trust and faith. God calls it The Bread of Life.

58 This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” (John 6:58 NKJ)

  • Jesus was referring to Himself as the bread of life that gives eternal life.

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?

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