God’s Great Faithfulness
Text: Lamentations 3:1-23 SWS IBC 20th
Anniversary 5/4/08
Preacher: Pastor Jose B. Cabajar
He who finds a faithful person also finds a trustworthy
one. But can we still find many faithful people in this treacherous generation? The vanishing presence of fidelity in our
time is undeniably evident in many marriages, homes, friendships, secular and religious organizations.
It is sadly true today that because of unfaithfulness, many
marriages have been adulterated and led to a bitter ruin; homes have been broken and their family members are being traumatized;
friendships have been destroyed and the once treasured friends are being reviled; secular and religious groups have been divided
and their members are left confused and alienated. Above all, the required faithfulness of man to God has been overlooked,
and as a result, he is led to sinful lifestyle and hopelessness. What a heart-breaking consequence of unfaithfulness. Faithfulness
is truly needed in our evil-stricken society.
Infidelity was first found with the devil when he rose up
against God. Surely, they that follow his steps will do the same evil deed. On the other hand, God’s faithfulness is
so great and has been manifested from generation to generation. In Psalm 119:90, it is written, Thy faithfulness is
unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. (KJV) This passage from the Bible reminds us of
the undeniable faithfulness of God as He unfailingly sustains the needs of His creations. Though man becomes unfaithful to
God, still, He remains faithful to him.
In Lamentations 3:22-23, it is written, It is of
the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is
thy faithfulness. (KJV) We love to sing the song “Great is Thy Faithfulness” and we are really blest by it.
The more we study Lamentations and gain better understanding concerning God’s great faithfulness, the more we will appreciate
the loving-grace of our Father above.
(I)
Manifested
In Times Of Affliction
Lamentations
3:1-18
Lamentations is an interesting book depicting a picture
of the lamentable situation of the Jews after the downfall of Judah in the hands of their enemies.
Obviously, their own sins led them to humiliating captivity. Through rhythmical presentation, we could feel the depth of their
sufferings. Hope was given up and peace was far from them. Lamentations 3:17-18 say, And thou hast removed my soul far
off from peace: I forgat prosperity. And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD: (KJV) What a sad picture
of unfaithful people in their affliction. Unfaithfulness to God brings forth misery.
-For our learning
In times of affliction, God wants us to pay close attention to His dealings, to listen diligently
and to learn from His ways so we may not go astray and end up sorrowful. We must keep in mind that it is not God’s desire
to destroy us in times of affliction, but to help us and show us His unquestionable faithfulness.
In Psalm 119:75, it is written, I know, O LORD, that
thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. (KJV) Truly, God’s great
faithfulness is being manifested even in times of affliction. There is always a tendency for a professing believer to complain,
murmur and become unfaithful to God when he goes through a life-squeezing suffering, but on God’s part, He is always
there, ever faithful to His children.
(II)
Realized
By Mindful Believers
Lamentations
3:19-23
No matter what situation we are in, we
must be mindful of God. Being mindful of Him in our darkest night will bring light to our mind and hope to our soul. In Lamentations
3:19-22, it is written, Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them
still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies
that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (KJV) What a realization of God’s forgotten mercies
and overlooked compassions. May we not forget God’s sustaining grace which keeps us alive and hopeful even in times
of dangers and uncertainties.
Love the Lord and be faithful to Him, and surely, He will
preserve you. The Bible says in Psalm 31:23, O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful,
and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. (KJV)
-God’s faithfulness should be appreciated
God’s faithfulness is so great and should be appreciated by those who are in Christ. Telling
the whole world about the Lord Jesus Christ and what He has done for us at Calvary is an
excellent way of expressing our appreciation to God. Another way of showing our appreciation is by being faithful in supporting
our Local Church
through our attendance, prayers, giving and meaningful involvement in mission-related tasks.
The writer of Lamentations was very much aware and truly appreciative
of God’s great faithfulness. His deep appreciation was well-expressed in his descriptive and graceful writing. In Lamentations
3:23, he wrote, They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (KJV) As we sing the song
“Great is Thy Faithfulness”, may we not only sing it through our lips, but from our hearts. We must also keep
in mind that the more we joyfully serve the Lord Jesus Christ, the more impact the song would have on the lives of the hearers.
-God’s faithfulness should be proclaimed
Every Christian should proclaim the faithfulness of God.
Through our songs and our good testimonies, such great faithfulness could be made known to all generations. In Psalm 89:1,
it is written, I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all
generations. (KJV)
Trials and afflictions should not hinder our mouths from
proclaiming God’s faithfulness. Believers must be consistent in telling others the Word of God so they may not live
in spiritual ignorance but realize the goodness of the Lord upon their lives.
Are we experiencing hardships in our lives and are about
to complain to God? In Lamentations 3:39-40, it is written, Wherefore doth
a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.
(KJV) These verses remind unfaithful people of their shameful murmurings against the ever faithful God. Instead of complaining,
they must search and try their ways, then turn to God and keep right with Him. In I John 1:8-9, it is written, If we say
that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)
God is ever faithful to us. In times of afflictions, temptations
and even in our humiliating failures, He is always faithful to lift us up. As we rejoice together and give thanks to Him for
reaching a significant milestone of success today, may the Lord Jesus Christ find our hearts true to Him till He comes.
What a faithful God and Savior we have! For all those great things
He has done for us, the Lord is worthy to be praised.
