Consistency

I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Psalm 40:10

When my daddy died unexpectedly, the Lord mercifully gave me everything I needed to be able to pay tribute to him at his memorial service. I wanted people to know what it was about Daddy that reminded me of Jesus. Getting my thoughts out helped me grieve.

Consistency was the quality about my earthly father that reminded me most of my heavenly Father. Daddy’s early-morning back-porch quiet time was just one pattern of consistent faithfulness that led me to trust God’s faithfulness. This was one habit of his that I wanted to share with our family and friends.

Other ways that Daddy showed consistency included harvesting his yearly crop of tomatoes, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, the time he spent fixing breakfast every morning for our family, doling out treats from his pocket, writing BSSYP (Be Sweet & Say Your Prayers) on my mail for more than twenty-five years, telling me to always hold my shoulders up for good posture, and so many other examples.

Dad’s good habits affected our whole family for good, and they gave me the precious experience of having someone follow through on his word. When we are consistent, others come to rely on us and know what to expect. Our reputation with them builds confidence and security.

The lessons I learned from observing Daddy’s consistent life make me think about our perfect Father’s unfailing faithfulness. As consistent as my earthly father was, I know that God is the only perfect Father who comes through for us all the time. No parent is perfect, but my heavenly Father is. God is consistent in showering us with love, mercy, grace, pardon, justice, and fairness. We can truly trust Him to do what He says, and we can feel secure in our standing with Him.

Learn about God’s perfect reputation and consistency by reading what He says in His Word every day. Be reminded that His character is unchanging—yesterday, today, and forever!