One Is Faithful and True

November 17

Disappointment abounds. Family, friends, lovers, governments have had their part in undermining the hope of virtually everyone who’s ever walked the earth. We set our expectations high--this one will be steadfast, will never let me down. New lovers and newly elected governmental officials are alike in transitioning from the 'ideal' to the 'ordinary.' At times they even morph into the 'worst.' As Jesus hung on the cross, even He cried out to His Father, “…Why have You forsaken Me?” (Mark 15:34)

Although we know God had to turn His back on Jesus at Calvary because He bore the sin mankind had committed through the eons of time and He therefore endured the separation from God that is our just punishment for that sin; and although Jesus knew God cannot look upon sin (Habakkuk 1:13), yet at the moment He yearned most for the oneness He had with the Father (John 10:30), He had it not.

The abandonment of Jesus to the consequence of our sin was a one-time event. It was required that He be the sole bearer of God’s righteous requirement that sin be punished and He agreed to it when our Triune God took counsel with Himself and devised the plan of salvation before the foundation of the earth (Revelation 13:8). Although Jesus helped devise the plan, when the time came to implement the plan He said, "Father, if there be any other way, let this cup pass from Me," Matthew 26:39. But He knew there was no other way and He endured the cross--and the separation from the Father--for our sakes.

For the rest of us, there is no turning of the face of the Father from our need. Along with our death, Jesus took our abandonment. In Luke 18:7 we receive the words of assurance of His ever-present help: “Will not God grant justice to His elect who cry out to Him day and night? He will not delay His help to them.” We have been assured that Jesus "will never fail or forsake" (Hebrews 13:5) His people; we have been promised that we may, "Call unto Me and I will show you great and mighty things that you cannot imagine," Jeremiah 33:3.

We know we may stand upon these and so many other promises of His presence and power in our lives because, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Word shall stand forever,' Matthew 24:35. The One who is ever faithful and true will ever be faithful and true to us.