Our God is Faithful

1 Thessalonians 5:24 “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”

How often have we heard that we should be confident in God’s faithfulness and how we should put our faith in Him alone? It sounds easy when all is well. Paul tells us in Romans to “be joyful in Hope and patient in affliction,” but in our human nature we think we know better and we try to do things our way. It is only after our way fails that we remember our Father who is faithful. We thank God that even when we lack faith, He remains faithful. Sara and I are excited about the coming of our little boy in December. In April, I had the privilege to go to Mozambique. It was in the weeks following Cyclone Idai that devastated villages. While I was there, God was so near. Looking around and sitting with grandmothers and mothers and fathers who had lost everything, God spoke to me about his faithfulness and the hope I have in Him that remains constant no matter what is going on around me. At that same time, I sent Sara a message telling her that I had had a vision of us visiting the US and she was obviously pregnant. We were praying about starting a family but we were worrying about timing. and the world was telling us about all the things we had to worry about if we are to get pregnant, but God doesn’t operate that way. Deep in Mozambique I was in the middle of so much heartbreak, and He was so kind to talk to me and show me that vision. He said, “See how faithful I am. When I call you to go and you obey, this I have promised, I will do for you.” When God spoke to me at that time, we were already pregnant but we didn’t know it.

While Xolani was in Mozambique, there were a couple days that I had an uneasiness in my spirit. I found myself reading the book of Jonah. I knew immediately that the uneasiness was due to a worry about the depth of God’s call over our lives. I was worried that it would be tough and that I would want to run away from it to something easier. As I read, I saw God’s mercy to Jonah in not letting him run away. My dad once said that Jonah being in the big fish was the best thing that ever could have happened to him. God gave me such comfort and showed me that His mercy would always surround me and he wouldn’t let me run away. I know that He will hold me and be near to me when He asks me to do something difficult. He is faithful to those He calls.

God was speaking the same message to both me and Sara – that He has called us and He is faithful. We trusted in His promise. It was such a gift for us to hear the Holy Spirit, and for me to have that vision of Sara being pregnant while the prayer was already answered! God was showing us that He is true to His word. He always keeps His promises. We tend to worry, but since that time we have had peace. In the months following, we have faced difficult situations in our work. People we love are going through incredibly difficult times, and we have been called to love and serve them through these times. We have experienced loss and grief. But we have such peace in being here and knowing that this is God’s plan for us.

We just returned from the US, where Xolani’s vision was played out. Sara was obviously pregnant while we were there. We pray Sara’s mom’s prayer for our little boy – that His heart will be tender toward the things of God and the voice of God. We are so thankful that we can trust in His promises, and we are so thankful for the ministry that He has given us with Hands at Work.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Amen!