The Be-Attitudes of the Christian Walk ~ Be Faithful

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.” Proverbs 3:3 

What does it mean to be faithful? Is it different than being full of faith? I believe both stem from the posture of our hearts prompting our attitudes, words, and actions. 

I am knee-deep in research of the early colonial era and have discovered not many historical fictions novels have been written about this time period. One of the reasons is that it was a very difficult time to live. War was imminent. Food was scarce. Winters and summers were equally grueling. Religion was compulsory. It was hard to know whom to trust, and accusation frequently equaled guilt. 

The only way to survive then was to be filled with faith – and it is no different today. 

A FAITHFUL CHILD OF GOD

In February 1675, during  King Philip’s War, after witnessing the destruction of her village many deaths of many loved ones, Mary Rowland was taken captive with her youngest child and others from Lancaster, Massachusetts . Years after her release at Redemption Rock, she penned one of the first “best sellers” in both the New World and  England: The Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson.

In her book, she details the horrors endured as her village was ravished and she was marched from village to village through the wilderness, eyewitness to brutality and loss – including  the death of her children, sister, nieces, nephews and friends. 

It would be easy to understand if she lost her faith – but she remained faithful and believed God was faithful to her throughout her tortuous journey. Of her second “remove,” she wrote:

“But God was with me in a wonderful manner, carrying me along and bearing up my spirit, that it did not quite fail.” 

Later, after falling from a horse with her wounded child in her arms, she said:

“But the Lord renewed my strength still, and carried me along that I might see more of His power; yea, so much that I could never have thought of had I not experienced it.” 

“He will cover you with his feathers,
 and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4

THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

Her story reads much like the book of Job. One loss after another, but never without faith and hope in the God she worshiped. 

After the death of her wounded child left her feeling completely alone. She prayed: 

“Show me a token for good and if it were His blessed will, some sign and hope and some relief.”  The next day, her son who had been taken captive by another group, found her. 

“Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.” Psalm 42:11

A RANSOM PAID

Eventually, her release was negotiated, and a ransom was paid. Her captivity that lasted eleven weeks must have seemed a lifetime. Her story is brutal, and she does not spare the details of what she witnessed and her emotions about them. But throughout her captivity, she remained faithful and faith-filled. With each account, she testified of the power, providence and faithfulness of God. 

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
 great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

I’ve had some rough times, witnessed horrible injustice and hurts – nothing compared to what Mary endured – and certainly nothing compared to what our Savior endured. I can say that it is only my faith in God’s faithfulness that has seen me through. 

The struggle to remain faith filled can be moment by moment some days. Those are the times I need to be still and remember God’s promises:

 He will take care of everything I need. 

He will never leave me.

If He clothed the world in such beauty, how much more He will take care of me.

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” Matthew 6:28-30

BEING FAITHFUL IS THE POSTURE OF MY HEART

As with so many of the “Be – Attitudes,” being faithful is not about “doing” more but about the posture of our hearts. Sometimes we must be emptied of the worldly things we put our faith in – jobs, financial security, human accomplishments – to have our hearts filled up with faith. 

Honestly, I pray I never face the depths of emptiness as Mary Rowlandson did. I want to believe in the goodness, power, and faithfulness of God enough to be filled with a new measure of faith every single day I live. 

To do that, I must immerse myself in getting to know Him through time in the Word, prayer, and in His glorious creation. 

Remember, that “measure of faith” is not delivered all at once. We are given opportunities to exercise our faith through small hurdles. Little by little our faith grows stronger.

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” Luke 16:10-12

It was at Calvary—our true Redemption Rock—that the ultimate ransom was paid, once and for all. His faithfulness carried Him to the cross; now, our daily challenge is to live faithfully in response to the One who created and redeemed us.

MY PRAYER TODAY

Faithful and loving Heavenly Father, Only through trusting in your faithfulness can I be faithful. Please fill me with the measure of faith I need for this day and help me to remain faithful in my thoughts, words, and actions. In Your Precious Name, Amen.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Is there a person whose life exemplifies faithfulness? I would love to hear about them in the comments.

How is your faithfulness being tested today? I would be honored to pray with you.

What is one little step you can take to remain faithful?

WORSHIP & MEDITATE ON GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

My Redeemer Is Faithful & True by Steven Curtis Chapmen

FOR FURTHER READING

Overcoming Fear with Faith – by Keri Willis

Open Bible – Being Faithful in Little Things – Bible verses on faithfulness

Knowing God – by J.I Packer