WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.519 This morning we're going to be focusing on several scripture passages but our main passage is really out of Lamentations chapter 3 all the verses will be on the screen however if you'd like to follow along open your Bibles to Lamentations chapter 3 we'll be looking at passages or verses 21 through 23 and focusing on the subject of greatest thy faithfulness. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.200 You know all of my life I've heard the expression of God's faithfulness. 00:00:35.200 --> 00:00:44.620 We read it in scripture of God's faithfulness and we sing songs like we sang this morning of great is thy faithfulness. 00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:50.299 However do we understand what we mean by that? 00:00:51.200 --> 00:00:56.320 Do we understand what the Bible means by God's faithfulness? 00:00:56.320 --> 00:00:59.600 Do we understand what we mean when we sing it? 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.380 And when we say it. 00:01:03.240 --> 00:01:20.140 For if we don't begin with a proper understanding of what the Bible means by God's faithfulness and we have a misunderstanding of what it really means then we can easily begin to doubt God's faithfulness. 00:01:20.140 --> 00:01:21.140 And question God's faithfulness. 00:01:21.140 --> 00:01:26.819 When we enter into dark days of our lives. 00:01:26.819 --> 00:01:30.760 When we go through difficult days, hard days, struggles. 00:01:31.200 --> 00:01:36.560 We can begin to question whether God really is faithful. 00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:42.640 When we go through pain and suffering or grief or struggles, conflict. 00:01:43.640 --> 00:01:48.820 In those days where we have more questions than we have answers. 00:01:49.180 --> 00:01:51.939 And where God seems to be distant. 00:01:52.800 --> 00:01:56.840 And maybe God even seems to be silent. 00:01:56.840 --> 00:02:06.480 If we understand his faithfulness to mean that we will never have anything bad to happen into our lives. 00:02:06.700 --> 00:02:16.280 If we understand God's faithfulness to mean that he'll shield us and protect us from difficulties or the storms of life. 00:02:16.280 --> 00:02:18.960 If we understand our lives and pain and suffering. 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:25.479 Then we will indeed question God's faithfulness when we encounter those very things. 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:33.479 And we'll ask questions like why does God allow so much pain and suffering to take place in the world? 00:02:33.479 --> 00:02:42.519 Or why does God allow pain and suffering to take place in the lives of his children? 00:02:43.419 --> 00:02:46.539 For those of us who are old enough to remember 9-11. 00:02:48.139 --> 00:02:50.159 Not the telephone number kids. 00:02:51.719 --> 00:02:52.879 But the date. 00:02:54.639 --> 00:02:55.280 2001. 00:02:57.219 --> 00:03:02.139 For those of us who remember when those planes flew into the twin towers. 00:03:02.139 --> 00:03:06.319 That plane crashed into the Pentagon. 00:03:07.599 --> 00:03:10.219 And into the Pennsylvania field. 00:03:11.219 --> 00:03:12.839 Remember what everybody was asking? 00:03:15.319 --> 00:03:15.959 Remember? 00:03:17.079 --> 00:03:18.419 Where is God? 00:03:19.639 --> 00:03:20.719 Where is God? 00:03:21.339 --> 00:03:25.719 People fled or flooded into churches. 00:03:27.399 --> 00:03:31.979 But then they were also asking where is God in all of this? 00:03:32.139 --> 00:03:34.899 Why would God allow this to happen? 00:03:34.899 --> 00:03:38.899 And yet the scriptures boldly proclaim. 00:03:40.179 --> 00:03:41.899 In Lamentations 3.23. 00:03:43.319 --> 00:03:44.639 You'll see on the screen there. 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:48.259 Great is your faithfulness. 00:03:48.919 --> 00:03:49.379 So. 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:52.619 How do we reconcile these two realities? 00:03:53.379 --> 00:03:55.139 A world full of suffering. 00:03:55.139 --> 00:03:57.899 And yet at the same time. 00:03:57.899 --> 00:03:58.539 And yet at the same time. 00:03:58.539 --> 00:04:01.500 The scriptures declare that God is faithful. 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:04.679 This morning I want us to look in the scriptures. 00:04:04.959 --> 00:04:06.959 And see what the scriptures mean. 00:04:07.839 --> 00:04:09.319 By God's faithfulness. 00:04:09.399 --> 00:04:13.799 And I don't think we can exhaustively do a study on what it means. 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:16.979 But I want to hit some of the major highlights of what it means. 00:04:17.180 --> 00:04:18.860 For God to be faithful. 00:04:19.779 --> 00:04:21.560 And what God's faithfulness means. 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:28.379 And I want us to see that God's faithfulness is not contradicted by suffering. 00:04:28.600 --> 00:04:31.839 But rather God's faithfulness is revealed through it. 00:04:32.379 --> 00:04:34.379 It's proven in it. 00:04:34.759 --> 00:04:40.040 It's magnified because of suffering. 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:43.620 So let's go to the Lord in prayer before we begin looking at this. 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:47.620 Father we just come to you today. 00:04:47.780 --> 00:04:50.300 And we thank you Lord for your great faithfulness. 00:04:51.459 --> 00:04:53.519 We thank you and praise you. 00:04:55.060 --> 00:04:57.740 For who you are and all that you have done. 00:04:58.860 --> 00:05:01.439 And I pray today as we come before you. 00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:05.240 We come before your word that you'll speak to us. 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:08.220 You'll speak to each of our hearts. 00:05:08.379 --> 00:05:10.199 Open our eyes that we might see. 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:14.259 And every one of us in a different place in life. 00:05:14.699 --> 00:05:15.939 Different situation. 00:05:16.139 --> 00:05:18.019 Different circumstances going on. 00:05:18.620 --> 00:05:20.899 And I pray that you take your word today. 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:22.920 And speak to us. 00:05:23.599 --> 00:05:24.639 Draw us close. 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:26.459 And near to you. 00:05:27.099 --> 00:05:29.419 And help us to leave this place today. 00:05:30.079 --> 00:05:31.699 Believing in the faithfulness of God. 00:05:31.759 --> 00:05:33.500 And understanding what that means. 00:05:33.500 --> 00:05:36.120 And walking closer to you. 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:37.600 And determined. 00:05:39.279 --> 00:05:42.800 To walk closer and near to you throughout this new year. 00:05:43.399 --> 00:05:44.600 And we thank you for that. 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:46.680 And we praise you Lord in Jesus name. 00:05:47.139 --> 00:05:47.519 Amen. 00:05:49.079 --> 00:05:51.439 The first thing I want us to look at this morning. 00:05:51.639 --> 00:05:54.079 Is that God's faithfulness does not mean. 00:05:54.439 --> 00:05:56.980 A life without trouble. 00:05:57.620 --> 00:05:59.980 Maybe the best way to define God's faithfulness. 00:06:00.040 --> 00:06:01.439 Is to look at what it's not. 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:04.620 And it's not a life without trouble. 00:06:04.800 --> 00:06:08.660 One of the greatest misunderstandings of the Christian life today. 00:06:08.819 --> 00:06:11.459 And maybe at least in the United States. 00:06:11.839 --> 00:06:14.339 Is that being a Christian does not mean. 00:06:14.480 --> 00:06:17.160 That we're going to live a trouble free life. 00:06:17.800 --> 00:06:18.939 You know I've heard people say. 00:06:19.199 --> 00:06:21.879 Come to Jesus and all your problems will disappear. 00:06:22.300 --> 00:06:24.980 You know God's going to take care of everything in your life. 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:26.519 Everything's going to vanish. 00:06:27.100 --> 00:06:29.500 You know God's just going to solve all your problems. 00:06:29.500 --> 00:06:32.779 And then once we've been a Christian for any length of time. 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:34.759 You know that's not true. 00:06:35.339 --> 00:06:38.220 And if you came to Christ believing that. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:42.060 You may turn away and walk away from Christ. 00:06:42.120 --> 00:06:44.660 Because you think wow I was deceived. 00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:46.759 Because that's not true. 00:06:46.839 --> 00:06:50.399 As a matter of fact Jesus tells us in John 16.33. 00:06:50.779 --> 00:06:54.500 Very clearly in this world you will have tribulation. 00:06:54.500 --> 00:06:57.600 He tells us. 00:06:57.779 --> 00:06:59.600 Be prepared for it. 00:06:59.980 --> 00:07:00.959 Know it. 00:07:01.959 --> 00:07:04.379 You will go through hardships. 00:07:04.680 --> 00:07:06.459 You will go through difficulties. 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:09.639 You will be persecuted for being a Christian. 00:07:10.560 --> 00:07:12.920 But you will also go through pain. 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:14.360 You will go through suffering. 00:07:14.519 --> 00:07:17.480 You will go through difficulties in this life. 00:07:17.660 --> 00:07:19.399 Being a Christian does not mean. 00:07:19.480 --> 00:07:21.300 And God's faithfulness does not mean. 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:24.680 That we will go through life without hardships and difficulties. 00:07:24.680 --> 00:07:29.980 And Jesus doesn't say there that maybe you'll have tribulation. 00:07:31.100 --> 00:07:34.939 He doesn't say possibly have tribulation. 00:07:35.060 --> 00:07:38.720 He doesn't say some of you will have tribulation. 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:41.680 He says you will have tribulation. 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:43.680 You know pain and difficulties. 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:48.080 Are not a sign that God has abandoned you either. 00:07:48.079 --> 00:07:52.459 It's not a sign that God has forgotten you. 00:07:53.859 --> 00:07:55.919 You know we live in a fallen world. 00:07:56.800 --> 00:08:01.939 We live in a world that is marked by sickness and disease. 00:08:02.719 --> 00:08:04.519 Broken relationships. 00:08:05.399 --> 00:08:06.719 Financial strain. 00:08:07.839 --> 00:08:08.519 Disappointment. 00:08:09.139 --> 00:08:10.019 And grief. 00:08:11.659 --> 00:08:15.799 And God never promised a life without struggles. 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:19.199 But one thing he did promise. 00:08:20.020 --> 00:08:22.480 In Hebrews 13 5. 00:08:23.020 --> 00:08:28.520 He said I will never leave you nor forsake you. 00:08:29.060 --> 00:08:34.200 So we understand one of God's ways of being faithful. 00:08:35.019 --> 00:08:37.240 Is that in the midst of the storm. 00:08:37.600 --> 00:08:39.240 In the midst of the struggles. 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:40.940 In the midst of the pain. 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:42.419 In the midst of the grief. 00:08:42.820 --> 00:08:43.759 The heartache. 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:45.600 God is with you. 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:48.360 And he says I will never leave you. 00:08:48.659 --> 00:08:50.580 I will never forsake you. 00:08:51.080 --> 00:08:55.300 You may be going through difficulties and hardships in your life. 00:08:55.940 --> 00:09:01.120 And you may be wondering why is God allowing me to go through these things. 00:09:01.420 --> 00:09:03.420 But you can know for certain. 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:06.639 That God has not abandoned you. 00:09:07.340 --> 00:09:09.259 That he is with you. 00:09:10.000 --> 00:09:12.480 And that he is always there. 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:14.300 In that Pennsylvania field. 00:09:14.300 --> 00:09:14.840 In that Pennsylvania field. 00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:17.500 Or in New York City. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:19.980 When those towers came crashing down. 00:09:20.539 --> 00:09:22.539 Or in Washington D.C. 00:09:22.580 --> 00:09:23.539 God was there. 00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:28.480 We can't understand necessarily why God allowed it to happen. 00:09:28.580 --> 00:09:30.440 Except there is evil in this world. 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:31.440 But God was there. 00:09:31.440 --> 00:09:33.440 But God was there. 00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:33.920 There. 00:09:33.920 --> 00:09:37.880 With the survivors. 00:09:37.880 --> 00:09:40.620 With the families who lost loved ones. 00:09:40.820 --> 00:09:43.200 The people who were traumatized. 00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:45.660 By the events of that day. 00:09:46.260 --> 00:09:47.560 And God was with us. 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:51.099 Jesus also told his followers. 00:09:52.459 --> 00:09:53.779 In Matthew 28. 00:09:53.879 --> 00:09:56.439 When he tells us to go out into all the world. 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:57.359 And take the gospel. 00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:58.419 He also promises. 00:09:58.939 --> 00:10:01.799 I will always be with you. 00:10:01.879 --> 00:10:03.399 To the very end of the age. 00:10:04.099 --> 00:10:05.779 He's promised that he'll be with us. 00:10:05.839 --> 00:10:07.599 And we can know that he is faithful. 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:09.899 That he will always be with us. 00:10:10.119 --> 00:10:11.199 When he's silent. 00:10:11.419 --> 00:10:12.299 When he's quiet. 00:10:12.739 --> 00:10:14.099 When we don't see it. 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:16.739 We can know that his word is faithful. 00:10:16.740 --> 00:10:21.159 God's faithfulness is not the absence of trouble. 00:10:22.180 --> 00:10:25.779 It is his presence in the struggle. 00:10:26.700 --> 00:10:28.139 You know just the other night. 00:10:29.720 --> 00:10:32.060 We saw the year 2025. 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:34.919 Go into the history books. 00:10:35.820 --> 00:10:37.779 And the year 2026. 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:38.980 Entered. 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:41.240 Onto the scene right. 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:43.919 For some of us that was a great thing. 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:47.559 2025 was not a good year. 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:49.819 For some of us. 00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:51.199 We had a great 2025. 00:10:51.979 --> 00:10:54.079 And we're looking forward to 2026. 00:10:55.519 --> 00:10:56.399 For me. 00:10:56.899 --> 00:10:58.899 I celebrate 2025. 00:10:59.939 --> 00:11:00.459 Disappearing. 00:11:00.639 --> 00:11:01.719 And being gone forever. 00:11:02.299 --> 00:11:04.079 I never want to see it again. 00:11:05.079 --> 00:11:06.259 Because for me. 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:09.379 2025 was the hardest year of my life. 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:13.039 There were some good things. 00:11:13.759 --> 00:11:14.860 But overall. 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:16.019 2025. 00:11:16.820 --> 00:11:19.340 Was the very most difficult year. 00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:20.600 Of my life. 00:11:21.559 --> 00:11:24.059 We went through some tremendous struggles. 00:11:24.059 --> 00:11:24.919 As a family. 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:27.200 One of my daughters. 00:11:27.360 --> 00:11:28.200 Went through a divorce. 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:32.120 Without going into a lot of details. 00:11:32.840 --> 00:11:34.299 Some of you understand that. 00:11:34.299 --> 00:11:36.419 It's a lot of pain. 00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:37.679 A lot of suffering. 00:11:38.339 --> 00:11:39.620 A lot of hardship. 00:11:39.979 --> 00:11:41.179 I've got two grandchildren. 00:11:41.179 --> 00:11:42.559 That are wrapped up in that. 00:11:43.359 --> 00:11:44.819 And it's just been difficult. 00:11:45.399 --> 00:11:46.579 And continues to be. 00:11:48.379 --> 00:11:49.759 And throughout the year. 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:51.319 I have prayed. 00:11:52.199 --> 00:11:53.620 And I've asked God. 00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:54.319 To work. 00:11:54.459 --> 00:11:55.319 And to move. 00:11:55.859 --> 00:11:57.079 And I've asked God. 00:11:57.799 --> 00:11:59.500 To change situation. 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:00.359 And circumstances. 00:12:00.360 --> 00:12:02.100 And to move in ways. 00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:03.580 That we can't even imagine. 00:12:03.580 --> 00:12:04.500 And to heal. 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:08.300 And for weeks. 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:10.919 For months now. 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:13.159 I haven't seen God do anything. 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:16.159 I haven't heard God respond. 00:12:17.100 --> 00:12:19.320 I haven't sensed God's presence. 00:12:19.320 --> 00:12:20.440 In the midst of that. 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:21.840 I haven't. 00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:23.919 And I was getting very angry. 00:12:25.379 --> 00:12:26.220 And I know. 00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:26.940 I'm a pastor. 00:12:27.060 --> 00:12:28.460 I'm not supposed to get mad at God. 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:28.740 Right? 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:30.060 But I was. 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:32.259 This is the humanity of me. 00:12:32.840 --> 00:12:34.019 I was mad. 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:36.080 And one morning. 00:12:37.180 --> 00:12:38.860 I was getting ready for church. 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:41.019 A weekday. 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:41.919 Coming to church. 00:12:45.180 --> 00:12:46.259 And I was angry. 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:48.139 And I was letting God know it. 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:51.300 I was like. 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:52.919 Why will you not. 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:54.180 Listen to me. 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:56.639 Why will you not. 00:12:56.800 --> 00:12:57.320 Hear me. 00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:58.940 Why will you not. 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:00.019 Respond to me. 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:00.439 God. 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:04.120 Why will you not move. 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:05.519 Why will you not change. 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:06.340 These situations. 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:06.919 Circumstances. 00:13:07.199 --> 00:13:08.220 Why won't you heal. 00:13:13.500 --> 00:13:14.939 And I heard God speak. 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:16.120 Very clearly to me. 00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:18.620 Not in an audible voice. 00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:20.259 And not inwardly. 00:13:20.340 --> 00:13:20.620 Either. 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:22.419 But in a way. 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:24.439 That I've never had him speak before. 00:13:25.939 --> 00:13:27.199 And never again. 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:27.879 Not yet. 00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:28.920 Not yet. 00:13:28.920 --> 00:13:29.040 Not yet. 00:13:29.040 --> 00:13:31.940 But I heard God speak to me. 00:13:32.680 --> 00:13:34.320 And I heard God say. 00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:37.780 I have not turned a deaf ear to you. 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:41.740 Well that got my attention. 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:43.519 And it changed a whole lot. 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:45.059 For me. 00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:46.459 I. 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:47.740 Still. 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:49.399 Am going through. 00:13:49.959 --> 00:13:51.079 The repercussions. 00:13:52.039 --> 00:13:53.100 Of a divorce. 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:54.539 My grandchildren. 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:55.299 Are still. 00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:55.980 Dealing. 00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:57.139 With. 00:13:57.819 --> 00:13:58.579 Situations. 00:13:58.580 --> 00:13:59.780 My daughter. 00:13:59.780 --> 00:13:59.780 00:13:59.780 --> 00:14:00.139 Still. 00:14:00.139 --> 00:14:00.259 Still. 00:14:00.600 --> 00:14:00.960 Healing. 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:04.940 And I still haven't seen God do what I've asked. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:05.900 Or what I want. 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:09.700 But it has changed everything. 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:10.620 Because. 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:13.620 I know God is there in the midst of it. 00:14:13.920 --> 00:14:15.820 God's hearing my prayers. 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:17.180 And God is working. 00:14:17.400 --> 00:14:19.180 Doing what only he can do. 00:14:19.420 --> 00:14:21.000 Even though I don't see it. 00:14:21.060 --> 00:14:22.440 Even though I don't feel it. 00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:24.360 Even though I don't know what he's doing. 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:26.320 I can trust God. 00:14:26.659 --> 00:14:27.360 And know. 00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:28.639 That he's got it. 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:30.100 Under his control. 00:14:30.460 --> 00:14:31.860 And he's dealing with it. 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:34.019 And that's how we have to know. 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:35.139 That God is faithful. 00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.759 And one day. 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:40.419 We'll be able to look back. 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:43.300 And we'll be able to see. 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:44.639 How God has worked. 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:46.340 To do all of this. 00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:49.639 Because I also heard God tell me. 00:14:49.920 --> 00:14:52.100 That he is rebuilding my family. 00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:54.860 And I'll just have to wait. 00:14:55.259 --> 00:14:57.279 Until he does it in his way. 00:14:57.340 --> 00:14:58.800 And I'm getting ahead of me on my sermon. 00:14:59.139 --> 00:15:00.320 But you'll hear the rest of it in a minute. 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:01.860 We'll have to wait. 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:04.379 And to see how God worked. 00:15:04.680 --> 00:15:05.399 To accomplish. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:08.440 More than we can ever rebuild. 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:09.759 In our own power. 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:12.259 In our own strength. 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:16.200 The next thing is. 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:17.680 God's faithfulness means. 00:15:17.800 --> 00:15:20.460 He always acts according to his character. 00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:23.980 When scripture says God is faithful. 00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:25.860 It means that. 00:15:26.900 --> 00:15:28.280 He always. 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:29.900 Tells the truth. 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:32.340 I've got a pretty quick list here. 00:15:32.680 --> 00:15:34.200 He always tells the truth. 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:37.460 He always does what is right. 00:15:39.460 --> 00:15:41.660 He never breaks a promise. 00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:44.460 He never contradicts his word. 00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:48.500 And God never changes. 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:52.220 Numbers 23 19 says. 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:54.220 God is not a man that he should lie. 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:56.299 Has he said. 00:15:56.700 --> 00:15:57.879 And will he not do it. 00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:59.580 Or has he spoken. 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:01.860 And will he not fulfill it. 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:05.000 You know we change all the time. 00:16:05.059 --> 00:16:05.419 Don't we. 00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.779 Our emotions change. 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:09.700 I raised three daughters. 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:10.500 Believe me. 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:11.779 I know emotions change. 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:14.700 I got one daughter here. 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.080 Sorry. 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:19.740 Our emotions change. 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:21.440 Our circumstances change. 00:16:21.560 --> 00:16:25.520 Our world is changing around us faster than we care for it to. 00:16:28.400 --> 00:16:29.240 It's scary. 00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:31.080 It changes so fast. 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:33.520 But you know what doesn't change? 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:37.440 The one thing that we can hold on to. 00:16:37.520 --> 00:16:38.759 And we can believe in. 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:40.540 And we can find stability in. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:41.180 What is that? 00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:41.659 God. 00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:42.259 God. 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:42.579 God. 00:16:43.059 --> 00:16:45.579 God never changes. 00:16:46.339 --> 00:16:47.699 God never changes. 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:49.759 And because his character is unchanging. 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:51.159 His faithfulness. 00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:53.399 His faithfulness is unchanging. 00:16:54.099 --> 00:16:56.539 If God said he will be with you. 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:57.839 Then he will. 00:16:58.359 --> 00:17:00.699 If God said he forgives the repentant. 00:17:00.959 --> 00:17:01.819 He does. 00:17:02.059 --> 00:17:04.720 If God said he's working all things for good. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:05.799 He is. 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:09.720 Even when we don't understand what he's doing. 00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:11.899 He remains faithful. 00:17:13.139 --> 00:17:15.359 Even when life is chaotic. 00:17:18.119 --> 00:17:19.460 He is faithful. 00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:22.819 So we can find stability. 00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:24.039 We can find hope. 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:25.200 We can find trust. 00:17:25.639 --> 00:17:27.579 And knowing that God is unchanging. 00:17:27.899 --> 00:17:29.859 And that we know he is faithful. 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:34.720 God's faithfulness is also seen most clearly in suffering. 00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:36.720 We don't like that do we? 00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:38.579 But it's true. 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:44.140 The book of Lamentations written by a man sitting in the ashes of a destroyed city. 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:47.120 Jerusalem is gone. 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:49.640 The temple is destroyed. 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:52.400 The people are starving. 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:55.779 There is death and despair everywhere. 00:17:56.700 --> 00:18:01.900 And right there in the middle of unthinkable loss. 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:04.500 Jeremiah writes this. 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:08.120 But this I call to mind. 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:10.860 And therefore I have hope. 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:16.819 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:21.120 His mercies never come to an end. 00:18:21.860 --> 00:18:24.299 They are new every morning. 00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:28.799 Great is your faithfulness. 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:36.240 Jeremiah doesn't say that God is faithful because everything is picture perfect in his life. 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:41.500 He says God is faithful while everything was falling apart. 00:18:43.139 --> 00:18:47.000 Faithfulness is not proven when circumstances are easy. 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:51.000 Faithfulness is proven when circumstances are hard. 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:53.039 When they are difficult. 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:54.839 When they are overwhelming. 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:58.759 And when they are beyond sometimes our ability to cope. 00:18:58.759 --> 00:19:02.099 When the diagnosis comes back. 00:19:03.099 --> 00:19:05.240 When the relationship ends. 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:08.039 When the job is lost. 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:11.640 When the future seems uncertain. 00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:18.480 Moments like that is when God whispers into our darkness. 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:21.140 And he says. 00:19:21.520 --> 00:19:23.500 I am still here. 00:19:24.780 --> 00:19:30.580 I have not turned a deaf ear to you. 00:19:30.579 --> 00:19:37.539 God's faithfulness also means he keeps every promise in his way. 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:40.179 And in his time. 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:45.299 God keeps his promises but often not in the way we want. 00:19:45.860 --> 00:19:47.200 The way we expect. 00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:49.360 Or in the timing that we want. 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:53.660 Abraham waited 25 years for Isaac to be born. 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:59.940 David waited 15 years to become king after he was anointed to be king. 00:20:02.060 --> 00:20:02.820 Israel. 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:06.880 They were slaves in Egypt for how many years? 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:06.880 00:20:08.880 --> 00:20:09.880 400 years. 00:20:10.620 --> 00:20:12.040 We were getting ready to celebrate. 00:20:12.840 --> 00:20:16.640 A new birthday of the United States this year. 00:20:17.320 --> 00:20:19.580 They were making a big deal out of it the other night. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:22.240 Anybody remember what's our birth date this year? 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.060 250. 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:28.800 Think about the history of the United States. 00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:32.480 And we're only 250 years old. 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:34.000 And Israel spent. 00:20:35.040 --> 00:20:36.320 How many years? 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:38.100 As slaves. 00:20:38.800 --> 00:20:40.620 400 years. 00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.960 Waiting for God. 00:20:43.300 --> 00:20:45.080 To bring them out of Egypt. 00:20:45.320 --> 00:20:46.340 And deliver them. 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:49.640 Waiting doesn't mean that God has forgotten about us. 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:51.200 Or even changed his mind. 00:20:51.760 --> 00:20:54.260 We've just become very impatient people. 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:57.920 We want everything instantaneous. 00:20:58.920 --> 00:21:00.980 We want things rapidly. 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:03.860 The other day I ordered something on Amazon. 00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:05.399 And the worst thing happened. 00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:08.459 It couldn't be delivered in two days. 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:08.839 I was like. 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:14.599 It's like one of these people that had. 00:21:15.319 --> 00:21:16.000 To send it. 00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:18.639 And it took like five or six days to get there. 00:21:18.699 --> 00:21:18.979 I was like. 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:19.819 I can't believe this. 00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:20.919 What is the world coming to? 00:21:20.919 --> 00:21:20.959 What is the world coming to? 00:21:20.960 --> 00:21:27.180 We want everything instantly. 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:29.079 We go to fast food restaurants. 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:31.140 And it takes ten minutes to get your food. 00:21:31.240 --> 00:21:32.400 And you want to scream and yell. 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:33.360 And tell people off. 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:37.460 Because we want things immediately. 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:39.680 God doesn't work that way. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.160 Does he? 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:44.560 Sometimes he makes us wait. 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:47.700 I love the story of Joseph. 00:21:49.380 --> 00:21:51.640 The story of Joseph of the Old Testament. 00:21:53.080 --> 00:21:54.080 And to look and see. 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:55.580 He gave him the dreams. 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:59.519 And yet he went through a lot of difficulties. 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.840 A lot of hardships. 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:02.000 A lot of pain. 00:22:02.100 --> 00:22:03.180 A lot of suffering. 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.480 Imprisonments. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:05.900 False accusations. 00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:08.540 Separation from family. 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:11.319 Separation from his homeland. 00:22:13.500 --> 00:22:18.139 And a long time before God fulfilled what he was doing in his life. 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:19.659 But he had to prepare him. 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:23.639 He had to get him ready for what he was doing in him. 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:27.460 And that couldn't be done overnight. 00:22:29.119 --> 00:22:32.500 You know waiting doesn't mean that God's forgotten about us. 00:22:32.500 --> 00:22:38.399 It means God is working on something that's bigger than what we can see. 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:41.420 Or that we may not even be able to understand. 00:22:41.579 --> 00:22:46.079 Romans 8.28 says that God is working for good. 00:22:46.700 --> 00:22:48.240 For those who love the Lord. 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:51.460 It doesn't say that everything we go through is good. 00:22:51.899 --> 00:22:55.319 Some things we go through are because we made sinful decisions. 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:59.639 Or that we disobeyed. 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:01.839 Or we just did dumb things. 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:07.959 It says that God is working to bring good out of those things though. 00:23:08.959 --> 00:23:10.000 Look at Joseph. 00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:15.199 His brothers acted sinful selling him into slavery. 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:21.220 It was their bitterness and their jealousy and their hatred that caused them to sell him into slavery. 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:25.980 But somehow God was working in the midst of all that to bring about good. 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:31.680 And that's what we sometimes have a hard time comprehending and understanding. 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:38.740 The suffering though sometimes God is using to bring about his purposes and his will. 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.680 And we don't like it. 00:23:40.140 --> 00:23:41.279 We don't want to suffer. 00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:42.640 We don't want to go through it. 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:46.019 But God is faithful to bring good out of it. 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:53.379 God's promises are certain because they rest on his character and not ours. 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:56.799 And this is why Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2.13. 00:23:57.879 --> 00:24:01.980 If we are faithless, he remains faithful. 00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:06.819 You know there are two ways that we can view life. 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:10.599 Through the lens of your circumstances. 00:24:11.879 --> 00:24:15.339 Or through the lens of God's character. 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:23.480 If we judge God by our circumstances, we're going to doubt his faithfulness. 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:30.400 Because there's going to be a lot of times we don't understand what's going on and why we're going through it. 00:24:31.139 --> 00:24:39.900 But if we judge our circumstances by God's character, we will see his faithfulness everywhere. 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:45.559 We may not understand our struggle, but God is faithful. 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:51.039 We may not see the purpose of what we're going through, but God is faithful. 00:24:51.379 --> 00:24:59.779 We may be waiting, grieving, wrestling, but trust that God is faithful. 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:02.319 He was faithful yesterday. 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:04.559 He's faithful today. 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:08.059 And he will be faithful forever. 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:14.079 You know, we don't know what the year 2026 holds for each of us. 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:21.439 But we can march into the new year with certainty to know that God is faithful. 00:25:22.099 --> 00:25:24.460 And that he holds our future. 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:28.079 He holds this year in his hands. 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:33.279 And that we can give our lives fully and completely to him. 00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:36.139 And trusting that he's got it all under control. 00:25:36.139 --> 00:25:38.139 No matter what's going on in the world. 00:25:38.819 --> 00:25:41.920 And if you watch the news, it'll keep you worried. 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:46.099 But turn the news off and trust God. 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:48.460 Read your Bible more than you watch the news. 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:53.119 And trust the Lord that he's got it under control. 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:56.679 He's got it completely in his hands. 00:25:56.759 --> 00:26:04.359 And his will, his purposes are being unfolded right before our eyes every day. 00:26:04.479 --> 00:26:06.679 Even if we don't understand it. 00:26:07.239 --> 00:26:11.419 There's one more area that we know God is faithful. 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:15.940 God is faithful that if we come to him. 00:26:16.820 --> 00:26:19.600 And we repent of our sins. 00:26:19.860 --> 00:26:22.980 And ask him to forgive us of our sins. 00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:24.680 He will forgive us. 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:26.740 If we've never done that. 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:30.039 If we've never done that before. 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:34.200 And we've never asked him into our lives to be our Lord and Savior. 00:26:34.820 --> 00:26:37.000 We can come to him today. 00:26:38.080 --> 00:26:39.640 Confess that we're a sinner. 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:43.360 And ask him to forgive us of our sins. 00:26:43.580 --> 00:26:46.440 And to enter into our lives to be our Lord. 00:26:47.160 --> 00:26:53.080 1 John 1, 9 says he will be faithful to forgive us of our sin. 00:26:53.620 --> 00:26:59.200 And he will receive us into the kingdom of God. 00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:01.400 If you've never done that today. 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:04.200 What a great way to start off a new year. 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:08.240 By trusting Jesus Christ to come into your life. 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.259 To forgive you. 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:11.140 Whatever sin you've committed in the past. 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:12.339 It does not matter. 00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:16.420 He will be faithful to forgive you. 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.980 To cleanse you. 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:20.680 Make you whiter than snow. 00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:24.380 And to receive you into the family of God. 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:29.680 And to give you a new life in this upcoming year. 00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:31.720 I would encourage you to do that today. 00:27:31.820 --> 00:27:35.300 I'm going to ask Brian and the musicians to come. 00:27:36.300 --> 00:27:38.120 Lead us in this time of invitation. 00:27:38.760 --> 00:27:40.820 You can respond during this time. 00:27:41.340 --> 00:27:42.760 And I'd love to pray with you. 00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:44.620 Maybe there are other things in your life. 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:47.260 Maybe you want to come and pray at the altar. 00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:50.320 And just ask the Lord to be with you in this upcoming year. 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:52.079 Maybe there are things you're praying about. 00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:54.799 Feel free to use this time for that. 00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:57.799 Or if there's things you would have me to pray with you about. 00:27:58.339 --> 00:28:00.359 Feel free to do that during this time.