Through Thick and Thin

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

During the isolation period of the Covid outbreak in 2020, our family adopted a new puppy, a rescue dog that we named Corra. She was a beautiful, loving, gentle dog that we quickly fell in love with. She became part of our family. Unfortunately, just fifteen months after adopting her, Corra passed away in her sleep due to a birth defect that we were not aware of. We were all devastated, but especially Colin, since Corra had become his dog. The solution to our sadness was to rescue another puppy, and that we did. 

We welcomed Tobi into our family about a month after Corra passed. He was quite the opposite of Corra, full of energy! He is a husky/german shepherd mix, so he has no personal space, needs lots of attention, talks to us, and sheds like crazy. We had to up our game by using the Swiffer and vacuum on the regular! But, just like Corra, he quickly won our hearts. He is a great dog and companion!

I work from home, and Tobi is right with me all day. When I am at my desk, he is lying under it or literally on my feet. If I get up to go to the bathroom, he follows and stays with me. He loves to snuggle on the couch and actually lay on top of me. He is the epitome of the word loyal! A dog's loyalty is unconditional, shown primarily through their devoted companionship. They remain by our sides through thick and thin. They also show loyalty through affection, protectiveness, and unwavering support. They really are ‘man's best friend.’

To be loyal means to be devoted, supportive, reliable, and always true. It means staying committed during the good times and bad. Loyalty is foundational in any relationship because it holds everything together. It fosters trust and respect and shows that you value and cherish the relationship. 

Can you think of a time when someone wavered in their loyalty to you and how that made you feel? How did that impact your relationship with that person? What about the flip side of that-has there been a time where you were not loyal to another person? How did that end? 

Just as loyalty is vital in our earthly relationships, we must also practice loyalty in our faith walk. Loyalty to Christ is about living in alignment with His teachings, trusting in His love, remaining faithful when life is going our way and when it’s not, and reflecting that loyalty in everyday life. 

Paul was the embodiment of a loyal follower! Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-29. In these verses, Paul shares the hardships and struggles that he endured to share the good news of Christ with others. This was the guy who was once a persecutor of Christians who had an amazing transformation on the road to Damascus and later became the greatest missionary of all time. And, despite all the things that he endured, he stayed true to Jesus and his calling. 

God is always near. He promises in His Word that He will never leave us. He is always faithful. We are to reciprocate this with Him. In Revelation 3:14-16, Jesus tells us not to be lukewarm or wishy-washy in our faith but to be sold out for him. We are not to waver but are to remain faithful and loyal, through thick and thin!

Mark your calendars! This coming Thursday, February 20 is Love Your Pet Day! Celebrate and do something extra for your pet, who is a great picture of a loyal companion. 

Call to Action

Why do you think loyalty to Christ is important as a believer?

Where do you see yourself on the scale below as to your level of loyalty to Christ?

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Uncommitted Sold Out

When have you wavered in your faith in the past? How did you get back on track? 

What can you do to be a more loyal follower of Jesus? And a more loyal friend, employee, or family member?

Dig Deeper

To learn about a man named Nicodemus and his loyalty to Jesus, read these passages: John 3:1-21, John 7:50-51, John 19:39. In the first passage, we see where Nicodemus had a life-changing conversation with Jesus. In the second passage, he defends Jesus before the Sanhedrin. And, in the third passage, he is present to help prepare Jesus’ body for burial after the crucifixon. 

Prayer

God, thank you for being always present and committed to me. Help me to remain loyal to you through thick and thin, the good times and the bad. Help me to trust You, follow You, and let others see You in my actions and words.

Copyright © 2025 Kyle Cravens