Unwavering Faithfulness

Read Genesis 15:1-6 and Genesis 23:3-6.

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.  2 Thessalonians 3:3

My wife, Danette, and I recently made a trip out west to Jackson Hole, WY, a place we had dreamed of visiting for some time. While we were there, we spent a day at Yellowstone National Park, and only saw maybe half of the park. We would have needed to spend days in the park to have seen and experienced it all. 

Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872. Two years before, Old Faithful geyser, for which the park is known, was discovered by the Washburn Expedition. Nathaniel Langford explains the naming of the geyser below:

“It spouted at regular intervals nine times during our stay, the columns of boiling water being thrown from ninety to one hundred and twenty-five feet at each discharge, which lasted from fifteen to twenty minutes. We gave it the name of "Old Faithful."”  Nathaniel P. Langford, 1871

Danette and I drove straight to Old Faithful. It was the first site we wanted to see in Yellowstone, and it was amazing! Here are some interesting facts about the geyser:

• Erupts around 20 times a day

• Average height of an eruption is 130-140 feet

• Eruptions normally last from 1.5 to 5 minutes

• Average time between eruptions is 74 minutes

• Estimated amount of water expelled ranges from 3,700-8,400 gallons

• The water temperature at the vent can be as high as 204 degrees Fahrenheit

When we arrived at the visitor center, the next eruption time was posted. I was unaware of how we would know when the eruptions would happen, but I was surprised to discover that the naturalists on hand could actually predict the time of the next eruption. Granted, I was skeptical. We had plenty of time before the next eruption to walk around the area on the boardwalk, listening to the gurgling hot water under us and seeing other small geysers.

We made our way back to the Old Faithful site so we would be there for the next scheduled time, and it happened almost right on the dot!  To think that this same geyser has been blowing hot water into the air for centuries at regular, consistent intervals is pretty cool and unbelievable. I completely understand how it got its name. It made me look to God and His faithfulness. 

God’s faithfulness is unwavering and is one of the most comforting truths to which we can cling in a world where everything changes—relationships, circumstances, health, careers, even our own hearts. God remains steady and unshakable. His faithfulness is not based on our performance, but on His unchanging nature and love. No matter how many times we falter, His promise to never leave or forsake us stands firm. He always keeps His promises. 

In our passage for today, despite numerous challenges, including old age and barrenness, Abraham and his wife, Sarah, trusted in God’s promise of a child and that their offspring would become a great nation. They had to wait, but God proved faithful. Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born!

God is always faithful. It may not be in our timing or how we think it should go, but God knows what is best and He loves us. He has been faithful to me for my entire life, but especially since I made the decision to surrender my life to Him when I was 8 years old. In the good times-family, education, marriage, being a father, a career-and in the bad times-death of parents, health issues, loss of relationships-He has been there, with a plan. 

Think about the moments in your life when you’ve felt uncertain, weak, or overwhelmed. In those times, God's faithfulness has been the constant that you could rely on. He’s kept His promises—whether it’s the promise of His presence, His provision, or His love. Even when we stumble or fail, He is there to lift us up, because His faithfulness is not dependent on us.

Let’s turn the table and consider our faithfulness to God. Have you blamed God, turned away from Him, or become angry when things did not go the way you planned? Are you in a place where your relationship with God feels distant or stagnant? Have you allowed the busyness of life or other distractions to take priority over spending time with Him?

When we are faithful to God, it allows His presence to be more real and active in our lives. Our faithfulness becomes a witness to others of who God is and what it means to walk with Him. It’s a choice we make daily, and it’s something that strengthens us, honors God, and impacts the world around us.

Call to Action 

Make a list of all the ways that God has been faithful to you. Keep this list to refer back to when things are not going as you hope and when you need to be reminded of His faithfulness.

What steps can you take to be more faithful to God?  

Digging Deeper

Check out one of these stories of God’s faithfulness: Daniel in the lion’s den from Daniel 6. The Israelites crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 14.

Look up and note some of God’s promises in Scripture. Then, consider how he has kept those promises to you personally. 

Prayer

God, thank You for Your unwavering faithfulness. When I am weak, You are strong. When I am faithless, You remain faithful. Help me to trust in Your promises today, knowing that You will always be with me, guiding me, and loving me.

Great is Thy Faithfulness Hymn  Lyrics

Great is thy faithfulness, O God, my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with thee.
Thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
As thou hast been, thou forever wilt be.

Great is thy faithfulness,
Great is thy faithfulness,
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed thy hand hast provided;
Great is thy faithfulness,
Lord unto me.

Key words: faithful, unwavering, constant

Source of Old Faithful facts: yellowstonepark.com

Copyright © 2025 Kyle Cravens

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8