Words of Worship: Faithfulness

faithfulness (adjective) - steadfast in affection or allegiance; firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty; given with strong assurance

Synonyms: constant, dedicated, fast, good, loyal, pious, staunch, true

Antonyms: disloyal, faithless, inconstant, perfidious, recreant, traitorous, unfaithful

Jordan, didn't you just do a post about faith two months ago? Why yes, yes I did. This post is not about faith the "thing" - it's about faithfulness the description. While faith is the act of total and complete trust, faithfulness describes the One we put that trust in. Just look at that definition up there: God is steadfast in affection. God is firm in His adherence to His promises. God is constant and dedicated and good and loyal and true. All of these things and more are why this word pops up in so many worship songs, because it's so important! We as His children are also called to faithfulness; in fact, it's a Fruit of the Spirit that Paul talks about in Galatians 5. We are called to be steadfast in our affection and allegiance to our Savior. We are to be firm in our observance of our duty of spreading His Word to the world. We give Him our faith and trust (though perhaps not our pixie dust) with the strong assurance that He will come through for us no matter how difficult the circumstance. We learn faithfulness by seeing how He has been faithful to us.

This week, I've got seven songs about faithfulness along with Scripture references that I was led to with each entry. All Scripture passages are from the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible.

Better Than by Bethel Music, Jonathan David Helser & Melissa Helser (written by J. Helser, M. Helser)

Included on Bethel's 2020 live album Revival's in the Air and featuring vocals from worship leader power couple The Helsers, this song is a powerful anthem honoring the faithfulness of God. If we trust Him to lead us through the ups and downs of this life, we will spend eternity in a place better than we could ever conceive of in our own human brains.

It's gonna be better than, better than/Better than I could dream/It's gonna be better than, better than/Better than I could dream/It's gonna be better than, better than/Better than I could dream/It's gonna be better than, better than/Better than I could dream/Your goodness can't be stopped/Your love is better than I ever thought/Your mercy saved my soul/Your kindness came down to make me whole/I prophesy into tomorrow/We will see the goodness of our God

Psalm 143:8 Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

You Keep on Getting Better by Maverick City Music ft. Majesty Rose (written by K. Kaple, J. Jay, D. Bowe, M. York)

Included on Maverick City's 2019 album Maverick City Vol. 2 and featuring vocals from worship leader Majesty Rose, this song is an incredible reminder of God's faithfulness for anyone who's struggling with feeling low in a valley right now. He is faithful, He is good, and He will lead You through your personal darkness and never let go of your hand.

I will sing of Your goodness, I will sing of Your love/Though the seasons come quickly, You have always been enough/Though the night may get darker, though the waiting seems long/You have aways been faithful to remind me of Your love/You are good, in the morning I’ll sing/You are good, in the evening I’ll sing/You are good, You are good to me, oh yeah

Romans 11:33-36 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.

Such an Awesome God by Maverick City Music ft. Maryanne J. George (written by H. Balltzglier, J. Hamilton, J. Jay, M. Wong)

Included on Maverick City's 2020 album Maverick City Vol. 3 Part 1 with vocals by worship leader (and one of my personal girl crushes) Maryanne J. George, this song is incredible from start to finish both musically and thematically. He is so huge and amazing and all powerful, but He's also gentle and selfless and faithful to His children.

You call the sun to rise/And You lay it down to rest/You hold this heart of mine/And You hold my every breath/Such an awesome God/So mighty, so holy, so wonderful/Such an awesome God/So selfless, so generous, so faithful, You are

Psalm 27:4 The one thing I ask of the Lord - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.

May God Be Everywhere I Go by Mosaic MSC (written by A. Figueroa, M. McManus, M. Maher)

Included on Mosaic's 2016 live album Glory & Wonder and featuring vocals by worship leader (and another girl crush) Mariah Goss, this beautiful song is a lovely calming experience when you're struggling with anxiety. His faithfulness ensures that He will never leave our side or break any promise He makes us.

I’ve come alive in the strength of Heaven/Eyes are open wide in the light of the sun/I’ve come alive in Your grace and mercy/Darkness fades away until there is none/Your light to guide me, Your hands to hold me/Your presence when I’m alone/Your heart is beating forever with me/Your voice will call me home/May God be everywhere I go

II Samuel 7:28 For you are God, O Sovereign Lord. Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant.

Now & Forever by Mosaic MSC (written by A. Figueroa, M. McManus)

Also from Mosaic's Glory & Wonder album, this is another great song that speaks to the permanence of God's faithfulness. He's not just faithful in the here and now; He was faithful long before we were ever born and will continue to be faithful long after we're gone from this planet.

I see the way You move within us/I know Your voice/You breathe a life surrounding/I know Your love/Your love is amazing, calling me out/You save me, I'm overwhelmed/Unchanging now and forever/Your love has healed me, taken my shame completely/Now I can hear You speaking now and forever

I Kings 2:3-4 Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me. He told me, “If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.”

One Thing Remains by Passion ft. Kristian Stanfill (written by B. Johnson, C. Black, J. Riddle)

Included on Passion's 2012 album Passion: White Flag with vocals by worship leader Kristian Stanfill, this CCM staple is so fun to sing and so wonderful to experience. God is love incarnate, so His unending love and His faithfulness go hand in hand.

Higher than the mountains that I face/Stronger than the power of the grave/Constant in the trial and the change/This one thing remains/This one thing remains/Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me/Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me/Your love never fails, it never gives up, it never runs out on me/Your love

Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Known by Tauren Wells (written by E. Hulse, J. Sapp, T. Wells)

Featured on Wells' 2017 album Hills and Valleys, the chill vibe and R&B style vocals on this song provide an excellent meditation space for us to think on God's faithfulness. He sees and knows everything about us and continually pulls us out of the dark so that we can live with Him in His light.

It’s so unusual, it’s frightening/You see right through the mess inside me/And You call me out to pull me in, You tell me I can start again/And I don’t need to keep on hiding/I’m fully known and loved by You/You won’t let go no matter what I do/And it’s not one or the other, it’s hard truth and ridiculous grace/To be known, fully known and loved by You/I’m fully known and loved by You

I John 4:16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

I hope this faithfulness inspired playlist brings you some peace as you go through it. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!