The Bible puts a high premium on faithfulness. In Galatians 5:22 we read that faithfulness, or being faithful, is a fruit of God’s Holy Spirit and therefore a Christ-like characteristic. There is no finer example of faithfulness than God Himself. Throughout the history of Israel, God remained faithful to His people. Nowadays, there is so little emphasis on faithfulness in friendship, marriage or anything that it is encouraging to know that our God is forever faithful. Lamentations 3:22-23 is one of many scriptures that confirms this truth: “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness, His mercies begin afresh each morning” (New Living Translation).

Most mornings during my devotional time, I like to sing a song to the Lord. My favorite choice is “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” hymn 147 in the UCG Hymnal. I find that it strengthens my spirit and builds my faith to be reminded of God’s faithfulness to me. The practice of meditating on God’s faithfulness makes me more and more grateful for God’s goodness to me. To start each day, knowing that my Heavenly Father will shepherd me every step of the way increases my confidence in His love for me and deepens my trust in Him.

Following a recent study in 1 Kings, I meditated on the importance that God places on faithfulness in those whom He has called in each age. In 1 Kings 15 is an account of the reign of King Asa, the direct descendant of King David. King Asa ruled the Kingdom of Judah during a difficult period in their history. There was ongoing tension between Judah and Israel. King Asa reigned in Jerusalem for 41 years, and it is worth noting the words used to sum up his righteous reign: “Asa remained faithful to the Lord throughout his life” (1 Kings 15:14 NLT). In the same chapter, we read about theunfaithfulness of Nadab, the King of Israel: “He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his father, continuing the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit.” (1 Kings 15:25-26). Nadab died at the hand of an assassin named Baasha who took over the rule of the Kingdom of Israel, thus ending the dynasty of Jeroboam, and proving the word of the Lord through the prophet Ahijah (1 Kings 14:14). This further affirms that God can be trusted to fulfill His Word.

To be faithful means to be loyal, devoted, dependable, trustworthy. Are we loyal to God and His ways, especially His Holy Days, keeping all and not just some of them (Deuteronomy 5:29)? Are we devoted in our daily devotions or are we just going through the motions (Psalm 51:10)? Are we dependable, always available to do good works as the fruit of our faith (James 2:17)? Are we trustworthy? When we receive God’s guidance, do we obey it? (James 1:5-8).

How important is faithfulness? According to God’s Word, being faithful is a crucial criteria for admittance to the eternal Kingdom of God. “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant ; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’”(Matthew 25:21, emphasis added).