WEEK 6 | ABOUNDING IN LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS
Exodus 34:6-7
The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
“A God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands…”
God is loyal, trustworthy, faithful, and committed. As 1 John 3:16-18 tells us, God is love. We know what love is because God loves us. In the Bible we see examples throughout the entirety of the scriptures that God is faithful and loving. Even when we are not. Even when we were caught up in our sin, God sent His son to die for us. Look at John 3:16, “For God so loved the whole world, that He sent His son to die for us. That through Jesus we may experience eternal life.” As John Mark Comer says, “God will be faithful to his promises. No matter what. No matter how many times you trip over your feet, no matter what other ‘wills’ get in the way, God is greater. And he’s loving, and faithful.”
Faith in our circumstances
Sometimes we can look at life and think that God is not for us. We may have been hurt, or falling into difficult times. That is understandable. God is bigger than any of those struggles. It is important to know He will not abandon you in your struggles. He is with you every single moment. He is faithful and loving. When you are in doubt and when it is hard to trust God with your circumstances, remember that God has shown throughout history how His character is trustworthy, loving, and faithful. Don’t lose heart.
REFLECTION AND QUESTIONS
Take a second to think about the ways in which God has shown you this love and faithfulness. Take a moment to write down a few examples.
Share one of these examples.
In what ways do you need to trust in God’s love and faithfulness?