The Faithfulness of God

What is the greatest sign of God's faithfulness to us?  I believe it is His constant, uninterrupted, dependable presence with us.  God demonstrated that faithfulness when He sent His Son to earth.  The fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy as written in Isaiah 7:14 was realized through the birth of Jesus.  He is called Emmanuel--"God with us."
 
In the November issue of "The Chosen People," president Mitch Glaser teaches us that the Hebrew Bible uses three terms to describe the faithfulness of God:

1. "Chesed" (loving-kindness) refers to God's loyalty.  His desire to have relationship with every person on the face of the earth would be accomplished through His chosen people.  The family line began when Sarah miraculously birthed her son Isaac.  It would grow since every person who has faith in God would be grafted into this line.  
2. "Rachamim" (compassion) refers to God's tender mercies.  The root of this word is the same as the one for the womb and implies nurturing.  "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)
3. "Emanah" (faithfulness) means firmness or steadfastness.  Moses talks about this aspect of God's character in Deuteronomy 32:4. "He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just.  A faithful (emanah) God who does no wrong, upright and just is He."  

Among other things, the Bible is a chronology of stories of God's never-ending faithfulness to His people.  We find that as they cry out to Him He provides for every one of their needs.  Our never-changing God continues to display His faithfulness today.  Even in the daily rising and setting of the sun we see this.  We may not understand everything that happens to us, but we do know that the Lord stands by us, holding out hope and drawing us toward His all-consuming love. 
 
As we celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday, we have an opportunity to express our gratitude to God for His faithfulness.  By acknowledging His goodness and faithfulness we will be able to enter a place of rest and peace.  It is appropriate that Thanksgiving falls in the month of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar and that Kislev is derived from the Hebrew word for trust and security.  Personally, I will be working on trusting God for a situation that occurred this morning.  My left wrist is broken as a result of a fall.  The doctor expects I will need a cast on my arm for six weeks.  I want to tell you, however, that I am at complete peace and know that the Lord is with me and will redeem this situation and use it for His glory.  Together, let us declare His faithfulness and thank Him for the truth that He is omnipresent.  He is truly "God with us," Emmanuel!