Faithful in All His Ways...

Therefore know [without any doubt] and understand that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who is keeping His covenant and His [steadfast] lovingkindness to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9) "I WILL NEVER [under any circumstances] DESERT YOU [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], NOR WILL I FORSAKE or LET YOU DOWN or RELAX MY HOLD ON YOU [assuredly not]!” (Hebrews 13:5) Abiding in Christ means receiving and trusting in His love and words. By relying on God's promise to never leave or forsake us; His presence and support are unwavering. God's presence is our source of strength and protection. Our relationship with Him is characterized by love, trust, and a shared life abiding with Him

Abiding in Christ leads to a life reflecting His character of commitment and that of consistent faith. Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. (Deuteronomy 31:6) It is through Him that we have received grace and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name’s sake among all the Gentiles, and you also are among those who are called of Jesus Christ to belong to Him;

[I am writing] to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called to be saints (God’s people) and set apart for a sanctified life, [that is, set apart for God and His purpose]: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith [your trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness] is being proclaimed in all the world. For God, whom I serve with my spirit by preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how continuously I mention you in my prayers; always pleading that somehow, by God’s will, I may now at last come to you. For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift, to strengthen and establish you; that is, that we may be mutually encouraged and comforted by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:5-12) By maintaining a strong and unwavering belief in God and His promises, remaining steadfast in faith, our perseverance will be richly rewarded. But remember the earlier days, when, after being [spiritually] enlightened, you [patiently] endured a great conflict of sufferings, sometimes by being made a spectacle, publicly exposed to insults and distress, and sometimes by becoming companions with those who were so treated. Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward. For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised. (Hebrews 10:32-33,35-36) Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power]. And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:2-5) Finding strength in God is not always the kind of strength you're expecting to draw from or receive. By experiencing hardship, betrayal, a period testing of faith, patience, and character which is a powerful force that shapes and proves our character.

Through these trials, faith is refined, we emerge as one ready to fulfill God's purpose. The word of God aides us in spiritual growth and character; God uses trials to prepare us for the fulfillment of His promises. God's word, though initially spoken as a promise, undergoes a period of testing and refinement before its fulfillment. Until the time that his word [of prophecy regarding his brothers] came true, The word of the LORD tested and refined him. (Psalm 105:19) Bless and affectionately praise the LORD, O my soul!

O LORD my God, You are very great;

You are clothed with splendor and majesty,

[You are the One] who covers Yourself with light as with a garment,

Who stretches out the heavens like a tent curtain,

Who lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters [above the firmament],

Who makes the clouds His chariot,

Who walks on the wings of the wind,

Who makes winds His messengers,

Flames of fire His ministers. (Psalm 104:1-4)