Day 14 Devotion
Day 14
FAITHFULNESS
By Kirk Beason
“Many a man proclaims his own loving-kindness and goodness, but a faithful man who can find? Proverbs 20:6
This verse begs a question. Is the writer (presumably Solomon) having a hard time finding a faithful man? There is a sense of concern and frustration in his voice. Apparently in this setting, many people have touted their own love and goodness, but Solomon sees no fruit to validate their claims. In a world filled with breached contracts, quick fixes, and satisfaction guarantees, we have lost an understanding of what it means to be truly faithful. God loves faithfulness. After all, He is the true definition of faithfulness, isn’t He?
“…the Lord, who remains faithful forever.” Psalm 146:6b In Proverbs 3:3, we are exhorted to: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
To be faithful in anything almost always involves discomfort and a level of sacrifice. Sometimes the discomfort and sacrifice are more than we would willingly sign up for. “Follow-through” is a term that is often used to coach a golf swing or a baseball swing, but this term also applies to our lives. Once the Lord calls us into something, there is a measure of follow-through, or faithfulness, required on our part. It is tempting to take the first few steps and then when things get tough or a little messy, to back off and throw in the towel.
To tie in to the theme of fellowship, this is specifically applicable to our relationships. “Fellowship WORKS” better when we are faithful in our relationships. Faithfulness in relationships is often displayed in the following ways: returning phone calls and emails, following through with the commitments you’ve made (e.g. be true to your word), providing a listening ear, and initiating with those whom the Lord brings to mind. Ask the Lord to increase your faithfulness to the people that He has placed in your life. Resolve to pursue Him above everything else and the rest will come naturally.
