Encouragement can come from unexpected places. After a stressful week that included planning memorial services for my grandfather and arranging placement for my grandmother, stress that caused my chronic jaw pain to flare and sleep to be elusive I found myself sitting on the sofa mindless watching television. Too tired to do anything more, I sat and listened to singer after singer miss notes but still be praised by the celebrity coaches. I felt I was giving away minutes that I would never get back.
Then Jordan Smith sang “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” In perfect pitch and with minimal accompaniment, he reminded me of the hope that has sustained me throughout my life. God never, ever, fails to keep His promises. Here are the words of the hymn he sang-
Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with thee
Thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not
As thou hast been, thou forever will be
Great is thy faithfulness
Great is thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed, thy hand has provided
Great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me
Years ago, as a child of 10 I memorized these verses from Paul’s letter to his friend Timothy
For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him;
If we endure, we will also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. 2 Tim 2:11-13
When God makes promises, He keeps them, and nothing in this life changes that truth. I was reminded of this tonight in an unexpected way.
- bart