The Faithful

The Faithful

What does it mean to be faithful? Those who are faithful are fervent in spirit and serve God faithfully. They are faithful in earthly things, because how else could He possibly entrust them with the true, heavenly riches? They are humble and faithful in the hidden life as well as openly.

Through constant faithfulness they grow up in a sound and good trust relationship toward God and the church. They enter into God’s secret counsel, and He can speak to them as co-workers.

Only a few people are entrusted with God’s Word in truth. They are the ones who have loved the simplest truths and have been obedient and faithful. They have bowed their ears and hearts to listen and obey. Everything is exact and lawful with God and in the church.

The faithful have lowly thoughts about themselves and are poor in spirit. They say, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening!” They do not desire anything special from God by means of which they might attain a radiance and honor for their own person. God speaks outside the camp under a cover of reproach.

The Lord has always sought out the faithful. He says that they will dwell with Him. Ps. 101:6. They partake of the greatest glory God can give to anyone. Those who have faithfully followed Jesus in His humiliation will also be united with Him in glorious exaltation.

Jesus bore the name “Faithful and True” when He sat on the white horse, which indicates purity and strength. The armies in heaven, clothed in white and clean linen, followed Him on white horses. The fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints. They went out against the beast, the false prophet, and all those who followed him. Rev. 19:11-21.

Happy are all those who have chosen the way of faithfulness from their youth. Ps. 25:5. God tested Israel under the most diverse circumstances to see what was in their heart. Deut. 8:2. “I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.” Hos. 2:20. We cannot learn to know God and taste His goodness without faithfulness.

“Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak lies everyone with his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak.” Ps. 12:1-2. David complained about the unfaithfulness that prevailed then, and it is certainly not any better in our days. We read how fraud and bribery is increasing. However, God’s judgment is unfailing.

The divorce rate is increasing ominously, and the children have to suffer under this callousness. The word “faithful” is totally foreign to such people. The word “faithful” speaks of true love, safety, and warmth. God can give the increase and the blessing in everything that is good, but the unfaithful and stubborn will dwell in a dry land. Isa. 1:18-20.

The harlot is the unfaithful one. The Bride is the faithful one. “Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.” Isa. 26:2. For the faithful the gate is open—right to God’s heart. “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Ps. 37:3-5.