In Amy Parker’s How Far Is Faith? board book (illustrated by Breezy Brookshire), a little elephant has a big discussion with his mama about where we can all find faith. With profound wisdom the mama elephant touches her trunk to her baby’s chest and explains, “It’s here . . . right here in your heart.”
As the seventh fruit of the spirit, faithfulness is our steadfast connection to God, that same connection felt deep within our hearts when we have accepted a relationship with Him. His faithfulness to us enables us to be faithful to Him.
In 1923 poet Thomas Chisholm, who had suffered from ill health much of his life, penned the words, “Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not, as thou hast been, thou forever will be.” These words of his song “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” depict that undeniable reliability of God’s faithfulness to His children.
Inspired by the words of Lamentations 3:22-23, Chisholm understood the steadfast promise of a loving and faithful God. “Morning by morning new mercies I see”!
In Mike Berenstain’s book Keep the Faith, the Berenstain Bears’ friend Ferdy doesn’t believe in God. Brother and Sister discuss their faith in God with Mama Bear when they are troubled by Ferdy’s doubts. She explains, “We know God in our own hearts. We feel his love for us, and his love helps us love each other.”
That’s how the fruit of faithfulness ripens!
To further help their understanding, Preacher Brown reminds Brother and Sister of Daniel’s faith in God after he was cast into the lions’ den. God’s faithfulness to Daniel allows Daniel to be faithful to God.
Lisa TerKeurst also reassures us of God’s unfailing presence in our lives in her book It Will Be Okay (illustrated by Natalia Moore). A little seed, reluctant to leave his protective packet and follow his Farmer’s plan, befriends a little fox who is scared of the dark shadows outside his den. Together they learn, in spite of their fears, that the Farmer is good and kind and always watching over them. He is ever faithful!
“Just as they learned to trust the Farmer, we can learn to trust God. We do not need to fear. He has a wonderful plan. God loves you, and He is kind. And in the end, it really will be okay.”
Carine Mackenzie’s board book God Is Faithful (illustrated by Derek Matthews) tells us if we seek God, we will find Him. If we pray to Him, He will hear our prayers. He will guide us in all we do, and He will never forget about us.
How simple and awesome is that!!
Early in my teaching career my faith was challenged more than once as I sought to gain tenure as a young high school English teacher. I don’t think I fully realized God’s faithfulness in my life at the time; but looking back on the situation, I have no doubt He knew the plans He had for me—a plan to prosper me and not to harm me, and a plan to give me hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). God’s faithfulness to me during that time enabled the fruit of faithfulness within me to grow.
In Matthew 17:20 Jesus tells us if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, anything is possible. While it is a tiny seed, it grows into one of the largest of all garden plants. Our fruit of faithfulness can grow in much the same way.
Many Biblical characters exemplify a faithfulness which saw them through despair, adversity, uncertainty, and trying times much like those we live in today. The experiences of Moses (Exodus 14:13-14), Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:17-19), Mary (Luke 1:39), and Timothy (2 Timothy 2: 1-13) all reveal how the fruit of faithfulness can lead to a harvest of plenty. We should study these and other examples found in the “Hall of Fame for the Faithful” (Hebrews 11).
So where can we find faith? It’s in our hearts, right where God planted it.
Take a moment to reflect on your own faith as Carrie Underwood and CeCe Winans share a reminder of the greatness of God’s faithfulness to us all.
You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin.”—J. R. R. Tolkien
“Ambitious people climb, but faithful people build.”—Julia Ward Howe
2 Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Corinthians 4:2
