A Testimony of God’s Faithfulness

Lisa P. (Courtney’s mom) –

We may not rush to the Bible’s collection of Lamentations for encouragement but I love this passage of Scripture found in chapter 3:

In The Passion version we read:

²² YAHWEH’S tender mercies have no end, and the kindness of His endless love is never exhausted.

²³ New, fresh mercies greet me with every sunrise. So wonderfully great is Your faithfulness!

²⁴ I will tell my soul, “YAHWEH is my abundant portion. I need nothing more. So, I will put all my hope in Him”

²⁵ YAHWEH is always good to all who trust in Him, to the soul who searched for Him.

²⁶ It is always good to hope, quietly waiting for YAHWEH’s deliverance.

²⁷ It is always good to learn patience and humility from a young age.

I, personally, have experienced the faithfulness of God umpteen times–and I’d venture to guess that most of them are in forms that I have never even recognized. Over the course of a half century of life, I have been learning to seek Him and wait for Him, quietly hope and stick it out, and He has never disappointed me or failed me.

I experienced God’s faithfulness in my childhood home even when I didn’t really know Him. He preserved my parents and their marriage through many struggles caused by financial, mental health issues, and addiction in their earlier years. We never felt unloved and we were introduced to God early in life. My mom has been a model of supernatural faith and patience in ways none of us can really comprehend.

I experienced God’s faithfulness as He carried my family back and forth across the western provinces providing a home, jobs, and a community each time the bank balance was on the brink of collapse. But there was always food on the table and clothes on our backs (even if they only ever came from the clearance rack). There was always someone with skin on to welcome us and care about us.

I’ve experienced God’s faithfulness throughout the many moves in my life as He has provided a place to belong–neighbours, church family, and older friends to care for us as ”grandparents” when ours were far away.

I experienced God’s faithfulness as He provided a “new family” for me when mine moved two provinces away from me as a young adult just out on my own beginning my nurses’ training. My husband-to-be’s family welcomed me on weekends when the nurses’ residence cleared out and I would have otherwise been alone.

I experienced God’s faithfulness as He whispered to my longing heart of His love and desire for me in my early years of marriage exposing my warped expectations of marriage. He gently reminded me that “He is my abundant portion, I need nothing more.”

I’ve experienced God’s faithfulness as He has provided ways for me to fulfill my heart’s desire to travel despite being “financially challenged” a lot of the time. A missions’ trip funded by friends and family, family trips funded by parents, a travel club funded by the club (for my bookkeeping services). He created me with the desire and faithfully makes a way for it to happen. 

I have already selected my main funeral song. From the first time I sang it, “The Goodness of God” (written by Jenn Johnson and Bethel Music) has become my life’s theme song. I have always had enough food to eat, clothes to wear, shelter, and the basic necessities of life. As I’ve matured, I have become more and more appreciative of the other ways God has been faithful to me. Even as I’ve written these words, tears of gratitude have come to my eyes (and almost every time I sing it),

I love You, Lord Oh, Your mercy never fails me All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

God’s faithfulness wakes me each morning.  As I sit in my east-facing bay window on a sunny morning spending time in the presence of my Father, the sun on my face reminds me that His Light also shines on me each and every day. I am reminded that because He is faithful, His presence is ALWAYS.WITH.ME. Whether I’ve slept well or not, He is faithful to carry me through a day with sufficient energy for the day’s responsibilities. I feel His warm presence as soon as I turn my face His way.

And all my life You have been faithful. And all my life You have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice You have led me through the fire And in darkest night You are close like no other I’ve known You as a Father I’ve known You as a Friend And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeah.

God’s faithfulness has held me in perfect peace sitting at the bedside of my Type 1 Diabetic husband through the night waiting for him to come out of a hypoglycemic coma. Or struggling to get him to eat something or get to a safe place when his mind is clouded by low blood sugar. God reminds me time after time that my husband and I are in the palm of His hand.

God’s faithfulness has held me close when my mama heart was breaking watching my children make decisions that I know will wound their hearts. He has reminded me time after time that He’s got them in the palm of His hand. 

And all my life You have been faithful, oh And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, yeah

God’s faithfulness reminds me of His love constantly. When my failures and weakness begin to drag me down and accuse me of not being or doing enough as a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, or friend, I am reminded that God’s goodness is constantly renewing me and He’s not finished with me yet. I certainly don’t always feel like it, but as soon as I turn His way, I can know He is there. So I turn towards Him and trust Him to show me how to live moment by moment and I trust Him for the strength and desire to obey. 

‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now I give You everything

Knowing how faithful my Father is, and good and loving, how could I respond any other way?…