JULY 30 – FAITHFULNESS OF SILVANUS!

“By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly” (I Peter 5:12).

We read in the Scripture about an unknown brother by the name Silvanus. Peter witnesses that brother as “Faithful Brother.” Silvanus appears in this instance alone and you may not be knowing much about him. But, being called ‘faithful’ makes our hearts happy. This has given him a permanent place in the Scripture.

Today, God is in search of faithful people. His eyes are browsing all over the world in this search. They keep on watching to reveal the power of God to those who are faithful. King Solomon asks, “…but who can find a faithful man?” (Proverbs 20:6).

These days in which you live, you may feel a little difficult to remain faithful. The higher authorities may force you to write false book of accounts. Compulsions may arise for you to lie, contrary to your conscience. But, the eyes of God keep watching the faithful.

A brother said, “If I had sold Beedi, cigarette and other addictive items in my shop my business would have flourished. But, I wanted to be faithful to God. So, I have not sold anything in my shop that is not pleasing to God and instead, I have kept a board in my shop which says, ‘He who trusts in the Lord will be made prosperous.’ God is blessing me.”

Another brother said, “I am working in the Police Department. My honesty has subjected me to mockery. Whether to continue in this department faithfully or whether I should resign from this job is the big question before me. But God who saw my faithfulness has placed me in a high position in the same department.”

On many occasions, tests may come for your faithfulness. If you are faithful in very little, you will be made authority over many. The Scripture says, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (I Corinthians 4:2).

Apart from remaining faithful, when you come across faithful persons, you have to encourage them. Say to them, ‘Be honest and faithful. Never get dejected. God will exalt you at the appropriate time” and motivate each other. Dear children of God, whatever be the situation and whatever tests you may face, protect your faithfulness. The time of God, exalting you greatly is very near.

To meditate: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelations 2:10).