Faithful 2024

Every year I seek the Lord for a word for the year. This is one I didn't want. Normally the focus has been on myself: a call to greater courage, to continue to perservere, and to hold on to hope. Tasks I can accomplish, or at least practice.

Faithful is different. But I had a distinct encounter with God where He told me, "I will show myself faithful this year". This made it even worse, honestly. So much so, that I have not even told anyone my word for 2024. I have kept it close to my heart and just watched for God's faithfulness.

The dictionary defines faithful as remaining loyal and steadfast; true to the facts or the original. This sounds like God. He is the original, has all the facts, never changes and is always loyal. Faithful is part of His very attributes according to 2 Timothy 2:13:

If we are unfaithful,

   he remains faithful,

     for he cannot deny who he is.

This word for this year is a constant reminder that it is not based on me, my performance, or abilities. It is simply recognizing that God is faithful even if I am not- it is who He is.

And yet, here I sit.

I don't feel God's faithfulness right now. I feel persecuted, lied against, facing horrific inustice, knowing everything we have worked for is for nothing. I feel old, tired, worn out from the fight. I even know as a Biblical counselor that feelings lie, but these feelings overwhelm me.

This is where I have to preach the Word to myself.

I know that no weapon formed against us will prosper (Isaiah 54.17).

I know that God who started a good work will see it to completion (Philippians 1:6).

I know that God works everything out for good (Romans 8:28).

I know that what others meant for evil, God will work for good (Genesis 50:20).

I know that what God has joined together, no man can seperate (Matthew 19:6, Mark 10:9).

I know that we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).

So even when we face injustice, when bad things happen, when the enemy appears to have the upperhand... It places us in the perfect context for God to do a miracle. Peter got his miraculous deliverence from prison, not when he was walking free, but when he was chained. Miracles only happen when there is no other way. Faithfulness is apparent only when tested in the murky waters of testing and trials.

So I continue to wrestle and fight, to take up my sword and pray in the Spirit at all times. I am looking for God's faithfulness and I am praying for a miracle. I want to prepare my heart for the bigger work God is going to do, and not focus on my pain, suffering, and heartbreak. This is not the end of God's story, and since I am still breathing, it is not the end of mine either.