God is Faithful

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

Romans 3:23

We live in a world where we face daily temptations and challenges. Sometimes we fall into these pitfalls and go against God’s will. This is not a new occurrence to mankind but has been in existence since the fall of man as described in Genesis 3. Sin is described as the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4 ). Throughout man’s existence, human beings have committed sin. What is however constant, is God’s presence. He is always near us and ready to help us overcome whatever circumstances we might have fallen into. The Bible reminds us that where sin abounded, grace did abound much more (Romans 5:18). Today, we will be having a look at examples from the bible of men and women who walked in God’s light at some point but because of God’s immense love and grace, they were triumphant at last.

When Abraham received the call to leave where he lived to a land that God was to show him; he was assured of becoming a great nation. This was despite the fact that he had no child and was 75 years old (Genesis 12:1-4, 13:14-17). 11 years later, Abraham had a child with her wife’s servant Hagar. This was not according to God’s plan and the promise he had given to him. This arrangement led to quarrels between Sarah, Abraham’s wife, and her servant Hagar. Years later, God renewed the covenant with Abraham when he was 99 years old. Though it seemed impossible to them, witnessed by the laughing of both Abraham and Sarah (Gen 17:17, 18:12) God did fulfill his promise and a year later, Isaac was born to them.

The Israelites were delivered from Egypt after 400 years of bondage. God performed great miracles in their very sight occasioned by the ten plagues. He led them out of Egypt, parted the waters of the Red Sea for their safe passage, provided them with manna for food, and was a pillar of fire at night and a pillar of cloud by day (Exodus 13:21). In all these events, God demonstrated that he was their God, their guide, provider, and protector. They were to fully depend on him. After God met with the Israelites at Mount Sinai and spoke to them about the ten commandments, the people were of God and asked Moses to speak with God on their behalf (Exodus 20:18-21). Even after all these interactions with God, the Israelites went ahead to make a golden calf and worshiped it as their God when they felt Moses had stayed in the mountain for far too long (Exodus 32). The Israelites did commit more transgressions after this but God was faithful to his promise and delivered them to the promised land, Canaan.

David committed adultery with Uriah’s wife Bathsheba and ordered the killing of Uriah when Bathsheba became pregnant. Sexual sin is described as a sin against one’s own body and we are advised to be free from it (1 Corinthians 6:18). Solomon, David’s son, married many strange women whom God has commanded the Israelites not to marry. These women turned Solomon’s heart from God and he began worshiping idols (1 Kings 11). God did, however, keep the promise of the messiah coming from the lineage of David (1 Samuel 7:12-16, Luke 1:31-33).

Jesus’s disciples deserted him when he needed them the most. He was betrayed by one of them, Judas Iscariot, and Simon Peter denied him three times. The disciples even went back to their old ways of fishing after Christ had and resurrected (John 21). Jesus Christ did reappear to them time after time after his death to strengthen them and assure them that He had resurrected as he had promised them. In the end, he sent them the Holy Spirit He had promised before his death. He also asked Simon Peter to take care of his sheep.

These examples show us that our God does not lie, he keeps his promises and if we call upon him he is ready and willing to answer. We have a Savior who will bear our burdens, cares, and sorrows of this world. A friend who loves us faithfully with tender love; who bids us lean unto him and tells us what we ought to do. This Savior is Jesus Christ. May he be your refuge and source of strength.