Please don't refresh this page.
We are submitting all your information.

This takes few seconds.
It will redirect after submission.
Devotional
CONNECTION HOME
< Prev Next >
March 31, 2023

In Christ Alone

March 31, 2023 by CARISSA JOY STRUM FAITHFULNESS Contentment Trust Feeling known & understood
In Christ Alone
  • by CARISSA JOY STRUM
  • Comment
“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”
Romans 3:3-4

I recently moved across the country and away from family and friends to a completely new town with my new husband. As we moved and got settled in our new home, I kept freaking out about the most random things—our meals, the cleanliness of our house, time spent texting friends, and the like. Finally, I realized that I was allowing fear to make me cling to things for permanence. I wanted my house to always be clean because I wanted to depend on something being constant. I wanted my friendships to fulfill me because I felt so afraid everything would change in this new season. Fear led me to try to control everything and place my hope in people or things, looking to them to fulfill and sustain me. My heart longed for something permanent, dependable, and lasting. God graciously convicted me of this one morning, and started opening my eyes through His Spirit to how He has been present all along. His faithful presence is truly all I need to depend on. Friendships are a gift and a clean home still makes me smile, but those things will never fulfill me because they are not perfect and are not what I was made for. Ultimately, we are made for relationship with God, and He alone completes us. 


In today’s passage, Paul boldly proclaims: “Let God be true, and every human being a liar.” These are some powerful words! The truth is that I don’t want humans to lie. I want to be able to see and hug and count on people. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing. God gives us people and built His Church into a global community of people we can permanently hold onto as fellow siblings and Kingdom heirs. However, these people will disappoint us. Some of my friends didn’t text me back. Some of those friendships did change. But you know what didn’t change? God’s presence and provision. God is faithful every day. God shows His faithfulness in different ways and through different people, but always with the end of pointing us to God Himself and showcasing His glory. 


So when I’m surrounded by people and laughter and love, I can thank God for His provision. As I meet new friends and FaceTime old roommates, I can thank God for both the gifts of new relationships and the preservation of old ones. But ultimately, God is the One who is with me each day. Only He is enough for us, and we are made for Him. So let’s allow the faithful presence of God to be our refuge, strength, and love (Psalm 18:1-2). He is for us (Romans 8), and He always will be. 

Closing Prayer
Father, we thank and praise You for Your faithfulness! Thank You that we can count and depend on Your faithful presence in all of the seasons of life (Psalm 139). We recognize Your sovereign presence, and seek to more fully see and celebrate Your faithfulness this week. We love You, Lord! We praise You for Your character in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Resources
Song: Yes and Amen by HouseFires It’s one thing to mentally know God is faithful, but it’s another thing to proclaim His faithfulness with your voice. Let these words wash over you and bring you comfort and peace. God is with you, and He is faithful. It’s up to Him and not us—praise God!
Song: Same God by Elevation Worship It’s one thing to mentally know God is faithful, but it’s another thing to proclaim His faithfulness with your voice. Let these words wash over you and bring you comfort and peace. God is with you, and He is faithful. It’s up to Him and not us—praise God!
Song: In Christ Alone by Shane and Shane It’s one thing to mentally know God is faithful, but it’s another thing to proclaim His faithfulness with your voice. Let these words wash over you and bring you comfort and peace. God is with you, and He is faithful. It’s up to Him and not us—praise God!
Song: Promises by Maverick City Music It’s one thing to mentally know God is faithful, but it’s another thing to proclaim His faithfulness with your voice. Let these words wash over you and bring you comfort and peace. God is with you, and He is faithful. It’s up to Him and not us—praise God!
Blog: On Remembering God’s Faithfulness by Lauren Bowerman I love how honest this post is. Lauren beautifully connects our knowledge of God with our trust in God, and reminds us that “The truth about God does not become less true because of our failure to believe it.” I hope this short read encourages you to both remember God’s faithfulness and share that with others.
Question for Reflection

Reflect on a time in your life where God has led you to a deeper understanding of His faithfulness. How did that understanding impact your relationships with others, and how did it impact your relationship with God?

Comments
Carissa Joy Strum
March 31, 2023

During my move across the country, God led me to a deeper understanding of His faithfulness through experiencing His presence day to day, even when everything else seemed to be changing. This heart knowledge of God’s faithfulness gave me security, which freed me to be confident in my relationships because I wasn’t looking to them to fulfill me; I was already filled in my Abba.