Psalm 119:90, “Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.”

Jim and Carol Cymbala went through a wrenching season of grief in their lives when their daughter turned her back on them and ran away from home. For months, they heard nothing from her. Every attempt to find her and to communicate was rebuffed. You can imagine the fear, anxiety, and despair that shrouded the Cymbalas’ hearts. Through their tears and with shattered hearts, they worried, wondered, and prayed, seemingly to no avail. Where do you go when life hurts that much? Jim and Carol fled to the arms of Jesus and counted on His faithfulness. They knew that when all of earth has forsaken us, God is faithful still. Since He is faithful, He cannot be unfaithful to Himself. His love, mercy, justice, grace are all guaranteed. He cannot deny Himself. And, more wonderful yet, He cannot be unfaithful to us. His grace in the time of need never fails. His promises are secure, and His wise plans are unfailing. Because of this, Carol sat down one day and penned these words that since have become bulwarks of strength for thousands of hurting hearts who have heard the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sing these words all over the world.  

In my moment of fear, Through every pain, every tear, There’s a God Who’s been faithful to me. . . .  

When my strength was all gone, When my heart had no song, Still in love He’s proved faithful to me. Every word He’s promised is true; What I thought was impossible, I see my God do.  

Chorus: He’s been faithful, faithful to me. Looking back His loving mercy I see Though in my heart I have questioned, Even failed to believe, Yet He’s been faithful, faithful to me.  

As the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” assures, God’s faithfulness provides “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.” Count on Him . . . He never fails. 

Today’s devotion is adapted from Strength for the Journey: Day By Day With Jesus written by Joseph M. Stowell and published by Moody Publishers.