Psalm 31:23
O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
Faithfulness is not a gift; it is a choice of character that anyone can do. You are not gifted to be faithful, but you are faithful because you choose to be faithful. God asks in Proverbs 20:6, Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? God knew that finding faithful people would not be an easy task because there are so few people who are faithful. There would be no need to command the believer to be faithful if everyone was faithful. God command us to be faithful because it is our sinful nature not to be faithful.
However, there is a great benefit to being faithful. God says, the LORD preserveth the faithful. In other words, being faithful won't be easy because God would not have to preserve us if it was easy. In actuality, the fact that you are faithful proves it was not easy. Faithfulness is not determined in times of ease, but in times of hardships and inconvenience. Faithfulness is always revealed in the most challenging times of one's life. Now, what is the benefit of being faithful? The Scriptures say that God preserveth the faithful. The word preserveth comes from the word to preserve, which reveals four benefits that come to those who are faithful.
First, God protects those who are faithful. The word preserve means to protect. You are guaranteed that God will protect you from that which tries to harm you in your times of faithfulness. You should keep doing right because God promises to protect you. The attack of the enemy may be hurled at you, but if you are faithful to continue to do right, you will find God will preserve you from that which is trying to destroy or hurt you.
Second, God maintains those who are faithful. The word preserveth means to maintain or supply one’s need. Philippians 4:19 says, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Faithfulness guarantees that God will supply any need you will have in life. You need not to worry if God will supply your need because He promises to supply your need if you are faithful. It may seem that you need to do something that would take you out of church to pay your bills, but if you will stay faithful to church, you have God’s Word that He will supply your need because of your faithfulness.
Third, God cares for those who are faithful. The word preserveth means to care for the one He is preserving. 1 Peter 5:7 says, Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Being faithful means God will help you to carry the load you are carrying. God is faithful to help the faithful servant who continues to do right despite the load of cares they carry. God is faithful to be sure your load of the cares of this life does not become too heavy for you to bear IF you will stay faithful to Him and do what He commands you to do.
Fourth, God looks after those who are faithful. Proverbs 3:6 says, In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. God looks after those to make sure they take the right paths of life if they will stay faithful. God will shut down those things that will hurt you and make sure your feet stay on the right path He wants you to take if you stay faithful. You will never fail to stay in God’s will for your life if you stay faithful because He will be sure to direct your feet to the paths that will keep you in His will.
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