RESTING IN GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

BIBLE STUDY: RESTING IN GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Lamentations 3:22-23
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

Supporting Texts:
Psalm 89:1-2
Hebrews 10:23
Numbers 23:19
Deuteronomy 7:9
Psalm 36:5
2 Timothy 2:13
1 Corinthians 1:9
Philippians 1:6

INTRODUCTION:
Resting in God's faithfulness means trusting in His unchanging character and His promises, regardless of our circumstances. Throughout Scripture, God’s faithfulness is emphasised as a cornerstone of our confidence in Him. He is always reliable, dependable, and true to His Word. As believers, we are invited to rest in His faithfulness, knowing that He is consistent, trustworthy, and His love for us never fails. This Bible study will explore what it means to rest in God's faithfulness and how we can experience peace and assurance in our daily lives through this truth.

1. UNDERSTANDING GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

God's faithfulness is His unwavering loyalty to His promises and His people. He is true to His Word and never fails.

a) God is Constant and Unchanging: Unlike people who may fail or disappoint, God remains the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

b) His Promises Never Fail: God always fulfils His promises. He is not a man who lies or changes His mind (Numbers 23:19).

c) His Mercies Are New Every Morning: God's faithfulness renews His mercies towards us daily, giving us fresh grace for each new day (Lamentations 3:22-23).

d) He is Faithful Even When We Are Not: God's faithfulness does not depend on our performance. Even in our failures, He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13).

e) Faithfulness is His Nature: Being faithful is not something God does; it is who He is. He cannot deny Himself (Deuteronomy 7:9).

Biblical Example:
Abraham experienced God's faithfulness when He fulfilled His promise to give him a son, even though Abraham and Sarah were well past childbearing age (Genesis 21:1-2). God’s faithfulness was evident despite the long wait.

2. WHY WE CAN REST IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

Resting in God's faithfulness means having full confidence that He will do what He has promised and that He is in control of every situation.

a) God is Always True to His Word: The Word of God is filled with promises that reflect His faithfulness. When we trust His Word, we can rest in the assurance that He will bring it to pass (Isaiah 55:11).

b) He Works Everything for Our Good: Even in difficult situations, we can trust that God is working behind the scenes for our good (Romans 8:28).

c) God’s Timing is Perfect: We can rest in God's faithfulness because He acts according to His perfect timing, not ours (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

d) God Never Forgets or Forsakes Us: He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. We can rest in His constant presence and care (Hebrews 13:5).

e) His Plans are for Our Benefit: God’s faithfulness ensures that His plans for us are good and filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

Biblical Example:
Joseph endured years of hardship, including betrayal and imprisonment, but he rested in God's faithfulness. Eventually, God fulfilled His promise and elevated Joseph to a position of power in Egypt (Genesis 41:39-41).

3. HOW TO REST IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

Resting in God’s faithfulness is an act of faith that requires us to trust Him completely. Here are some practical steps to help us rest in His faithfulness.

a) Trust God’s Word: Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. When we meditate on His promises, our confidence in His faithfulness grows (Romans 10:17).

b) Surrender Your Worries to Him: Resting in God requires us to cast our burdens, worries, and fears onto Him, trusting that He will take care of us (1 Peter 5:7).

c) Remember His Past Faithfulness: Reflecting on God’s past faithfulness in our lives and the lives of others strengthens our trust in Him for the future (Psalm 77:11).

d) Remain Patient in Waiting: Resting in God’s faithfulness involves waiting patiently for Him to act, knowing that His timing is always perfect (Psalm 27:14).

e) Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude: Gratitude helps us to focus on God's goodness and faithfulness in our lives. When we are thankful, we are more aware of His presence and peace (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Biblical Example:
Daniel rested in God's faithfulness when he was thrown into the lions' den. Despite the threat to his life, Daniel trusted in God's protection, and God shut the mouths of the lions (Daniel 6:22).

4. THE BENEFITS OF RESTING IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

a) Peace in the Storm: Resting in God's faithfulness gives us peace, knowing that He is in control of every situation, no matter how chaotic it seems (Philippians 4:6-7).

b) Confidence in God’s Provision: When we rest in God’s faithfulness, we trust that He will meet all our needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).

c) Joy in the Journey: Our joy is not dependent on our circumstances but on the faithfulness of God. His presence fills us with joy even in difficult times (Psalm 16:11).

d) Endurance in Trials: Knowing that God is faithful gives us the strength to endure hardships, believing that He will bring us through (James 1:2-4).

e) Security in His Love: Resting in God's faithfulness reassures us of His unfailing love. We are secure in the knowledge that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39).

Biblical Example:
David experienced the benefits of resting in God's faithfulness throughout his life. In Psalm 23, he declares that because the Lord is his Shepherd, he lacks nothing. David rested in God's provision, protection, and guidance, knowing that goodness and mercy would follow him all the days of his life.

5. OVERCOMING DOUBT AND FEAR THROUGH GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

At times, life’s challenges may cause us to doubt God’s faithfulness, but by focusing on His character and promises, we can overcome fear and doubt.

a) Focus on God's Character: When doubts arise, we must remind ourselves of who God is—faithful, loving, and true. His nature reassures us that He is always trustworthy (Deuteronomy 32:4).

b) Lean on His Promises: In times of uncertainty, it is vital to hold onto the promises of God. His Word is an anchor that keeps us grounded in truth (Psalm 119:89-90).

c) Pray for Strength and Faith: When fear and doubt try to creep in, we should turn to God in prayer, asking for strength to trust in His faithfulness (Philippians 4:6-7).

d) Reject the Lies of the Enemy: Satan often tries to make us doubt God’s faithfulness, but we must reject his lies by clinging to the truth of God’s Word (John 8:44).

e) Surround Yourself with Fellow Believers: Fellowship with other believers strengthens our faith. By sharing testimonies of God's faithfulness, we encourage each other to trust in Him (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Biblical Example:
Job faced overwhelming challenges and loss, yet he overcame doubt and fear by choosing to trust in God’s faithfulness. Despite his suffering, Job declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).

CONCLUSION:
Resting in God’s faithfulness is an essential aspect of our Christian walk. As we understand His unchanging nature, trust His promises, and remember His past faithfulness, we can rest assured that God will remain true to His Word. When we rest in His faithfulness, we experience peace, joy, confidence, and security, no matter what challenges we face. Let us cultivate a heart of trust and rest, knowing that our faithful God will never fail.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, help me to trust in Your faithfulness in every situation.

2. Father, give me the grace to rest in Your promises and not be anxious.

3. Lord, open my eyes to see Your faithfulness in my life every day.

4. Help me to overcome fear and doubt by standing firm in Your Word.

5. Lord, strengthen my faith in the midst of trials, knowing that You are faithful.

6. Father, give me peace that surpasses all understanding as I rest in You.

7. Lord, remind me of Your past faithfulness when I am faced with challenges.

8. Father, help me to be patient as I wait for Your promises to be fulfilled.

9. Lord, fill my heart with joy and gratitude for Your unfailing love.

10. Father, may I always rest in the security of Your constant presence.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:

1. I declare that you will rest in the unshakable faithfulness of God.

2. Every fear and doubt in your life is silenced by the assurance of God's promises.

3. You will experience peace, joy, and confidence as you trust in God's Word.

4. The Lord will provide for all your needs, and you will never lack.

5. God’s faithfulness will be evident in every area of your life.

6. You will endure every trial with strength, knowing that God is working for your good.

7. Your faith in God’s faithfulness will inspire and encourage others around you.

8. The enemy’s lies will not prevail over you; you will stand firm in the truth.

9. The mercies of God will be new every morning in your life.

10. You will finish this year strong, resting in the faithfulness of your God.