Tag Archives: faithfulness

September 17
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“Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.” (Proverbs 24: 19-20, NIV)

When it seems that evil and the servants of evil have gotten the upper hand, the word of God reminds us to “not fret” because “the evildoer has no future hope.”

The resistance of evil can be wearying to the spirit because there never seems to be an end to it. Evil seems to be everywhere and in everything; and its agents seem to thwart even the smallest grace.

Even so, remain faithful to the word of God and to the leading of the spirit of God. There is no future in the practice of wickedness; and there is no hope for the agents of evil. The extent to which we are able to confront evil without becoming like it; and to resist evil without losing heart, is a measure of our faith.  – Luther

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August 18
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“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15, NIV)

God is powerful, but He isn’t expecting us to be strong. Instead, God wants us to rely on His strength.

God is everywhere, but He never expects us to be in more than one place at one time. Instead, God wants us to be sensitive to His calling, so that we will always be at the right place at the right time to do His work, according to His plan.

God is all-knowing, but He never requires us to have all of the answers.  Instead, God wants us to temper our measure of knowledge (however large or small) with His wisdom.

In today’s psalm, David tells us that God is compassionate.  Who among us will choose to be like God in that regard?

David tells us that God is gracious. Who among us will dare to be gracious?

God is slow to anger — and so should we.

God is abounding in love and faithfulness. From the overflow of our heavenly Father’s love and faithfulness to us, we are expected to be channels of love and faithfulness to others.

Is this what it means to be like God?  – Luther

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July 3
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“Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.” (Acts 14:19-20, NIV)

Stoned, and left for dead. 

As amazing as it is that Paul survived such abuse, what is even more amazing is what he did afterward: “He got up and went back into the city.”

We can only guess at Paul’s reasons for returning to the scene of his humiliation, pain, and near-death experience.  Perhaps, Paul chose to re-enter the city for the benefit of the disciples who had refused to abandon him. 

How do we serve those that walk the extra mile with us through difficulties, trials, disappointments, and sorrows? Do we remember that for such people the return distance home is one mile longer because of us?

If Paul and Barnabas had departed for Derbe from where Paul had been dragged by the mob, it would have been a shorter journey — and a lot less stressful. (And they did, indeed, leave for Derbe the following day!) However, in the moment, Paul chose to re-enter the city.

We do well — after we’ve “gotten up” — to return to those who have stood-by us with the blessing of our literal presence, and our gratitude. 

If God has saved you through one fire, remember that God also has the power to save you through a hundred fires more. Do not shirk the opportunity, whether because of fear or personal inconvenience, to be a living example to others of God’s faithfulness.  – Luther

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