Week Eight – Day 3 – Read II Thess. 3:1 – 5 – SOAP v. 3 – 5 – Jesus is Faithful
“Faithfulness” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K0WphJSz9Q
3 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
O – “BUT the Lord is faithful.” No matter the circumstances. He will “establish you” and “guard you against the evil one.” He will stand me firm – and protect me against the Enemy. Paul’s confidence is not only in the faithfulness of the Lord, but also in the ones whose “hearts are directed to the love fo God and to the steadfastness of Christ.” Heart. Directed towards God’s love. A man or a woman after God’s heart. Steadfast. Steady. Conforming to the image of Christ.
A – I love that word BUT. No matter what. BUT God is faithful. GOD is faithful. I love that despite circumstances, or how I feel, God is faithful. He is the One who will establish me, make me steadfast, steady. The Amplified puts it this way – “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil one.” He will strengthen me. I don’t have to rely on my own strength. His. He is faithful.
What is my role? Again, the Amplified gives a new shade of meaning. “We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you ARE DOING and WILL CONTINUE TO DO the things {which} we command.” (v. 4) Are doing AND will continue to do. We’re not done. The battle is not over. It is a daily process, this continuing to do what God has commanded to do. To daily direct my heart towards God’s love. To be steadfast and steady – in His power. To be faithful – as HE is faithful.
Just as David realized that he needed God’s presence, I do as well. I can’t be strong without Him. I can’t be faithful without His faithfulness. I can’t be steadfast and steady without Him. And, it is a “continuing to do” process! It’s not over and done, but a DAILY reliance upon Him!
P – Father God, keep me faithful to You. Direct my heart to You. Help me to recall Your faithfulness in moments of weakness and temptation. Thank You for the promise of a strong foundation, strength that comes only from You, and Your protection from the evil one. May I be a woman after Your heart, with Your strength. Amen.
Why do you think David had so much faith and the courage to act upon it?
“Faithfulness” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3K0WphJSz9Q
From rising sun till Kingdom come
Your faithful love is unfailing
Though shadows turn and tempests stir
Still You oh God are unchanging
Through every hour
I will recall
All my hope is Jesus
Great is Your faithfulness
Great is Your faithfulness
I lift my eyes I won’t forget
How great Your faithfulness
When battle’s near I will not fear
Your promises are unshaken
My faith is sure of nothing more
Than Christ alone my portion
There’ll be a season
For joy and weeping
In everything our God is faithful
His arms are open
I will come running
Now and always our God is faithful
Journey in the Word 