The Original ‘Old Faithful’

Lucinda Secrest McDowell

The park ranger promised me it would happen at this exact moment. And as I stood with hundreds of people from all over the world, our long-awaited anticipation was rewarded with a true spectacle.

            Old Faithful.

            The famous geyser at Yellowstone National Park that erupts about every ninety minutes, shooting up as high as 184 feet, lasting as long as five minutes. Without fail.

As I joyfully witnessed the plumes of boiling water and steam bursting skyward in a majestic show of power and beauty, I couldn’t help but think of the original Old Faithful.

            God.

            The One by whom other forces of nature shrink in importance, no matter how predictable they are. But though God’s faithfulness is constant, it is often surprising. There’s no scheduling His appearance – only that He will be faithful to every promise.

“The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.  The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:13-14 

            Perhaps you and I are not unlike those Yellowstone tourists – finding ourselves waiting around, thinking we know exactly how and when God will choose to come through with His power and promise. We have set aside this time in our lives and are ready.  Only, instead of a prompt appearance, we discover that the God of the Universe will not be managed or manipulated. He is:

• Faithful in putting together families; just not always in the traditional fashion.
• Faithful in providing financial resources for our needs; but perhaps not all our wants.
• Faithful in walking beside us through every calamity, though the journey often involves painful detours.

Still, we can rely on His character. This verse reminds us not only that God is “faithful in all He does,” and can be trusted to keep His promises.  He will lift us up when we fall and help us stay upright when we wobble.  

When I struggle with faith, I remind myself of the acronym for FAITH I learned so long ago: Forsaking All, I Trust Him.

            Where do you need God to be faithful in your life today? Take a moment and write down two areas and then pray over them by singing this familiar hymn.

“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 hath provided Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!”  (hymn “Great Is They Faithfulness,” Thomas Chisholm,1923)