The Lord showed me the importance of faithfulness when I was very young. I think the word consistent has been imbedded in my heart for over fifty years. I knew then that I always needed be consistent… consistent in faithfulness, in nurturing a relationship with Jesus, in reading God’s Word, and in obedience to His commands. I haven’t always done everything right… in fact, I fail every day… but consistency has always been a part of who I am. I remember in those early days I would get up before the sun peaked over the horizon and find a quiet place in my house to be alone with Jesus. Sometimes, my closet was the only place I could find solitude. I still get up early each morning to be with Jesus.
Our key verse from Proverbs reminds us of consistency. “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.” In fact, there are other things as well that we should NEVER let go… One in particular is faithfulness. Always showing up. Always pressing in. Always listening. Always worshiping. Always trusting. Here’s the thing… if we learn faithfulness in the everyday, we are equipped to be faithful when the crisis comes.
We never know when that crisis will strike. It just may be the worst trial we have ever experienced… maybe a great loss, betrayal, a diagnosis, scandal in the church, losing a child or grandchild to the world, dark clouds that never seem to go away. These things can certainly shake our faith, cause us to doubt, and in some cases, they can take us under. Ruth is a great example of faithfulness in the everyday that reaped God’s blessings when the crisis came. She had remained faithful to her husband’s family, even if she had to give up her old way and adopt the way of the Israelites. The crisis came when she was about to lose everything… everything so dear to her. But her faithfulness equipped her for that moment and she refused to let it take her down. Instead, she continued to remain faithful to her mother-in-law. Ultimately, God poured out His favor on this family… and I’m thinking it’s because Ruth’s everyday faithfulness spilled out into the moment of crisis. It’s interesting that it was a Moabite woman – a foreign woman – who demonstrated unwavering faithfulness, but Naomi is the one who fell apart. Her example should spur each of us on, as I’m sure it did for Naomi.
Today may be just another day. Everything is going well. Everything seems right. You’re filled with joy and peace, hopeful for tomorrow, and in good health. Your family is thriving, your community is strong, your church is growing, your plans are going well. I know that I do not need to tell you that tomorrow might not look like that, right? Our faith may just be tested. But if we remain faithful today then it will be a natural response to remain faithful when the world around is shattering. Don’t let the security of today rob you of consistency. Remain steadfast today so that it will flow over into tomorrow. Let these words encourage you.