Faithful It’s those little things, the ones done routinely, consistently, and with a sense of purpose, that are rewarded. Frequent, proper brushing results in healthy, attractive teeth, prompting a bold, confident smile. Going through daily exercises in scales and arpeggios makes an expressive, mistake-free performance possible. Extensive daily listening and repetition of words and phrases in a foreign language enable essential communication with people from its country of origin. For these, and an endless number of other desired benefits, there is first of all an established belief in the necessity and reward of the action. Without this belief in the positive results from an action, there will be no fulfillment or positive results from doing it. Procrastination and neglect will undermine any motivation or determination to endure what may seem tedious and undesirable. However, the greater the conviction of the action’s reward, the more attention will be given to those little things. This is faithfulness (faith/belief that is fulfilled through steady action). Faithfulness is not left out of an encounter with God and its inevitable transformation. Long before we even give Him a nod, His goodness and mercy faithfully pursue us with the belief that we will turn to Him, backed by the free gift of new life in Christ. In every moment of our life here on earth, His grace is before us, making way for our blessing and favor. As He is great in His faithfulness, however, accessing what He continually offers is possible through that very same attribute. In Jesus’ parable of the talents, there is an understanding that it is to the faithful that He will show His faithfulness. In the gifts and callings He’s given to each of us, there is also a gift of this necessary faithfulness in the experience of His. Drawing near to Him, feasting on His Word, and abiding in Him in prayer have the greatest of rewards for those who develop a lifestyle of faithfulness to them. Notes Faith-ful = Fulfilled-Belief Belief that ensures fulfilled commitment God’s mercy and compassion are in response to repentant and faithful hearts. Exodus 34:6-9 (NLT) 6 The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. 7 I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.” 8 Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped. 9 And he said, “O Lord, if it is true that I have found favor with you, then please travel with us. Yes, this is a stubborn and rebellious people, but please forgive our iniquity and our sins. Claim us as your own special possession.” Hope - belief in the reward of faithfulness that produces belief’s (faith’s) action Lamentations 3:21-24 (NLT) 21 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: 22 The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” Beholding of God’s faithfulness comes from a commitment to emulate His. 2 Samuel 22:25-26 (NLT) 25 The LORD rewarded me for doing right. He has seen my innocence. 26 “To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. In the Word’s dwelling is exposed glory in faithfulness - purpose is transformation. John 1:14 (NLT) 14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. Critical - faithfulness in perceived absence. Matthew 24:45-51 (NLT) 45 “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 46 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 47 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. 48 But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ 49 and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? 50 The master will return unannounced and unexpected, 51 and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Increase comes from faithfulness to what has been received. Matthew 25:21 (NLT) 21 “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ God is always ready to act on our repentance and restore to righteousness. 1 John 1:9 (TPT) 9 But if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them, he will be faithful to forgive us every time. God is just to forgive us our sins because of Christ, and he will continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. In every little thing, done unto Him, there is a reward of inheritance Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT) 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. Matters of the heart: Where your treasure is, your heart and faithfulness will be. Luke 12:34 Relationships - family, friends, church body Finances Occupation Entertainment Belief demonstrated in trust/faithfulness ensures grace Romans 10:10-11 (NLT) 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Faithfulness of the heart - noticed and rewarded by God 2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV) 9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. … Overview Faithful - Fulfilled Belief Belief that ensures fulflled commitment From God is demonstrated true faithfulness that consistently pours out goodness, but in response to hearts demonstrating faithfulness. The greatness of God’s faithfulness produces hope’s actions through belief in His reward. With Jesus came a demonstration of faithfulness meant to be emulated and rewarded in us. The greatest in His kingdom is the servant showing belief in Him through steady faithfulness. The faithful servant is the one He rewards with greater significance in faithfulness. Right standing is readily and anxiously enabled in the heart that adjusts belief’s commitments. This commitment of belief to the Father is apparent in everything that is done. What we’re faithful to represents the heart’s belief through its committed faithfulness. It’s from kingdom faithfulness that God promises great reward in demonstrated power and favor. Prayer Father, thank You for being perfectly faithful. Thank You for Your mercy that never fails and Your compassion that is new every morning. Search my heart today. Reveal any area where I have become distracted, divided, or unfaithful. Strengthen me to remain faithful in every season—whether in abundance or lack, clarity or uncertainty, waiting or fulfillment. Teach me to trust You deeply, serve You wholeheartedly, and honor You in every small thing. Help me abide in Your Word, walk in obedience, and live with a heart fully surrendered to You. Make me faithful in prayer, faithful in worship, faithful in stewardship, and faithful in love. May my belief be fulfilled through consistent commitment to faith’s actions. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Declarations God is faithful, and His mercy never fails me. My faith is active, steadfast, and fruitful. I will remain faithful in every season. I trust God even when I cannot see Him working. I am faithful in little, and God entrusts me with more. I walk in obedience, integrity, and commitment. My heart is fully devoted to the Lord. I do everything as unto Christ. God shows Himself strong on my behalf. I will hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”