The Faithfulness of God Leads to Good Works

Scripture Readings

• Psalm 105:1-42 – A call to remember God’s faithfulness and His covenant with His people.
• Exodus 33:1-6 – God warns Israel of their rebellion but remains present in His grace.
• Romans 4:1-12 – Abraham is justified by faith, demonstrating that righteousness is a gift from God, not something earned.

ReflectionLent is often seen as a time of spiritual discipline, a season of fasting, prayer, and self-examination. While these practices are valuable, they are not about proving ourselves to God. Too often, we approach faith as if it were an obligation—a duty to be fulfilled, a set of beliefs to be upheld, or a performance to be perfected. But Romans 4 reminds us of a different reality: faith is not something we achieve; it is something we receive.

Paul points to Abraham as the ultimate example. Abraham was not justified by his works, nor by his ability to follow rules. He was counted as righteous simply because he believed God’s promise. This challenges the idea that faith is about certainty or effort. Instead, faith is about trust—trust in the God who calls, provides, and remains faithful even when we falter.

This theme of trust echoes in Exodus 33. The Israelites, having just experienced God’s mighty deliverance from Egypt, fall into rebellion. God warns them of the consequences of their sin, but even in their failure, He does not fully abandon them. His presence remains their greatest gift, not because they have earned it, but because He is merciful. This same grace is present throughout Psalm 105, where the psalmist recounts how God has been faithful across generations, not because His people were perfect, but because He is.

Peter Enns captures this beautifully when he writes, “Faith in God is not about working toward some goal of certainty, but about trusting God in the moment, even when the path ahead is unclear.” Faith, then, is not a rigid system of right answers or flawless obedience. It is a living, breathing relationship with God, marked by trust rather than striving.

This is the invitation of Lent: to let go of our attempts to control or prove ourselves and instead to rest in God’s grace. The journey of faith is not about having all the answers or never stumbling; it is about trusting the One who walks with us. Like Abraham, we are called not to earn righteousness but to receive it. Like the Israelites, we are reminded that God’s presence is not a reward for good behavior but a gift of love.

In this season, where might God be calling you to trust rather than strive? Where have you mistaken faith for obligation rather than gift? May this Lent be a time of release—of laying down our efforts to earn God’s love and instead receiving the love that has already been given.
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Prayer
God of grace, free us from the burden of earning Your love. Teach us to trust, even when the path is uncertain. In this Lenten season, may we surrender our striving and receive Your gift of faith anew. Amen.