The hymn which we often sing during worship “Great Is Your Faithfulness” echoes God’s faithfulness. Eric Wyse wrote in his article “The History of ‘Great Is Thy Faithfulness’ that the first verse of the hymn written by Thomas Chisholm is a simple expression of God’s unchanging faithfulness, based on Lamentations 3:22 “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.” The second verse continues with an expression of God’s faithfulness to us in the natural world He created — the changing of the seasons, the movements of the celestial bodies—all joining together in praise of their Creator. The hymn culminates in the final verse with the testimony of peace that comes through redemption, God’s abiding presence in our daily lives, and the blessed hope of heaven. The refrain echoes the infinite faithfulness of God in extending mercy and compassion— “They are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” (Lam 3:23).
Looking back on the writing of the hymn, Chisholm recalled in 1941, “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.”
Our God is a faithful God. He requires us to be faithful. He gives each of us different abilities and talents, as is written in Rom 12:6-8 “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
He would therefore require us, and rightfully so, to be good stewards of our gifts. To him who is faithful with small things, God would grant him to be in charge of more things. The servant was found to be a good steward of a few bags of gold, and God gave him more to take charge of, in Matt 25:28-30: “So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
God is not particular about how many talents we have, but He is concerned about our stewardship. What He requires of us is our faithfulness in using our talents for God and His glory.
God is also not a debtor to us and He will not short-change us when we use our talents in God’s work. God promises in Heb 6:10—“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”
Serving God faithfully requires sacrifice. Along the way, challenges may discourage you. Take heart that God would ensure that His work would be done. Let us serve God faithfully in the various ministries that we have committed ourselves to. At the same time, let us be mindful that we do not get burned out.
We should not be like Martha but, rather, follow Mary, as she took time to sit at Jesus’ feet, to learn about God and His teachings. Let us be prayerful in waiting upon the Lord for His will to be revealed. We need to draw wisdom and strength from God as we serve God faithfully.
At the end of life’s journey, we can look forward to God remembering us and our faithfulness. May we also be able to hear God saying to us, as in Matt 25:23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”