My grandfather-in-law passed away last week at the age of 95. He was much loved and will be very missed. He was a wonderful man, very caring and gentle. He was a man who showed great integrity and strength. And he was a faithful servant of God, and so it brings us comfort to know that he is now free of his earthly, broken body and with His Saviour.
At the funeral we will be singing, Great is Thy Faithfulness. I just love this old hymn. The words are so rich and powerful, and they declare the very character of God. They speak of God’s unfailing faithfulness to us, His unending mercies, His provision in our lives daily and His unchanging nature. We live in a world of constant change, nothing stays the same for long. Things around us are always being upgraded or updated. There’s always something bigger and better around the corner. It seems my phone is always alerting (nagging!) me to update my apps.
But in the midst of all this change and chaos, our God is steadfast and faithful. His character never changes. We have a God who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). The God we serve today is the same God who spoke the world into being, the same God who repeatedly forgave and led the Israelites, the same God who showed such compassion for and taught His disciples, the same God who, while we were still sinners sent His son to die for us, to make us righteous before a Holy God (Romans 5:8).
What an incredibly loving and faithful God we serve! Our God is rich in love and slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15). How can we not praise Him?
Can I encourage you to spend some time this week reflecting on God’s great faithfulness to you? And thank Him.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
