The Strength of a Steadfast Heart
By ANNIE WESCHE
His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Psalm 112:7b
She called him her “Mr. Steady.“ She would write it on love notes, address him by the endearing moniker, and even occasionally refer to him as such when talking with others. The husband God had given her was in every way her opposite — but Wisdom knew that his calm, introverted, and consistent nature would be a wonderful complement to her enthusiastic, extroverted, and spontaneous spirit. God was intentional in the gift He gave to her and, as the years of their marriage unfolded, she was increasingly thankful for that treasured gift.
From as early on as their honeymoon, she experienced her husband’s steadfast character when he lost his wedding ring while snorkeling in the sparkling Hawaiian waters. His response was shaped by the Word rather than the emotions wrestling within. “Sweetheart,” he spoke tenderly to his tearful bride, “I know this is deeply disappointing, but God tells us we need to give thanks in all circumstances — even this.”
After some tears and a time of wrestling within her heart, she chose to surrender the situation into God’s hands, give thanks for the disappointing circumstance, and trust God’s purposes beyond what she could see. And just a short time later, they both experienced the miraculous story of that ring’s return to them! What had been lost on the ocean floor had been found by another snorkeler and, even more miraculously, found its way back to the only hand for which it was meant.
My mum’s faith was unquestionably fervent, but she often remarked to me of what a gift Dad’s steadiness was throughout their marriage. He was immovable when it came to the promises of God and the assurances of His Word. And from the time I could observe my father’s character, I began to see this quality shine brighter and brighter in his life. For as long as I have known him, he has faithfully lived in the confidence that if God has said it, we can take it to the bank; if He has promised, then He will be faithful.
It wasn’t that Dad never felt sadness or frustration or weariness. It wasn’t that he didn’t experience real disappointment at times or wrestle over his own failures. But he continually brought his heart and mind back to rest on the One who was trustworthy. He fixed his heart on God’s Word and believed it over any wave of emotion or present circumstance. He set his confidence upon the One who was with him in the midst of whatever he was going through — the One caring for his needs and growth, and working on his behalf.
Through job losses and unfair circumstances, Dad steadied His soul on verses like Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” He believed that God could work good out of what appeared to be bad. And when he found a new job, he gave glory to God for providing it.
When our family walked through the loss of our home, Dad knelt with us humbly and prayed with unwavering trust to God, our Provider, reminding us of Philippians 4:19, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
When desires went unfulfilled or plans did not pan out, Dad would remind us of Psalm 84:11b, “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” And then confidently say, “This must not have been a good thing for us right now or else God would have given it.”
When I was headed to China on a mission trip just as a highly contagious virus was sweeping through the country, and I was unsure if I should travel, Dad reminded me that nothing can happen to me unless God allows it and has a purpose for it. And then he directed me to find confidence in Psalm 91 — to walk in faith and obedience in what I believed God wanted me to do, without fear.
When our family faced hard things, Dad would exhort us to be thankful, trusting that God was working on something far greater than what we could see — quoting 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
When I consulted with my dad about significant decisions, asking for his input, he would encourage me with any practical insights or wisdom he had — and then exhort me to rely on God’s guidance promised in Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”
When his beautiful bride of nearly 40 years drew her last breath and entered eternity, Dad wept tears of heartache mingled with worship, expressing deep thankfulness to the Lord for the gift she was to him. And in the moments of grief that have followed, he has frequently quoted Mark 7:37b: “He has done all things well,” trusted the promise in Psalm 25:10a: “All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful…” (NIV), and rallied his soul with a declaration found in Judges 5:21: “March on, my soul, with might!” (ESV).
I’m deeply grateful for the rich grace I’ve been given to grow up under my father’s example of steadfastness. I’ve often prayed to have my own “Mr. Steady” one day — a husband anchored by the Truth. And I’ve also asked that God would shape me into a “Miss Steady.” I want to know my God and be steadfast towards Him whether I am climbing to the mountain tops or journeying through the deepest valleys, whether I’m experiencing exciting answers to prayer or wrestling in my waiting — because steadfastness fastens us to the One who ”is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb. 13:8) and the One who is our All in all.
Dear reader, steadfastness is not a personality trait. It’s something each and every one of us is called to as a follower of Christ Jesus:
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58
…If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which you heard… Colossians 1:23a
For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. Hebrews 3:14
To be ”steadfast” is to be firm, stable, fixed, secure, securely determined, steadily directed, and resolute in faith. And as we fix our eyes on Christ, saturate our heart and mind with His Word, direct our affections to love and treasure Him, and consistently walk by faith — we will become strong and steadfast women, by His grace.
If you feel a growing desire for this, here are some practical ideas for intentionally cultivating a steadfast heart:
Keep a journal or ongoing list of the promises of God you discover throughout your devotional times.
Document God’s faithfulness in your life — in ways both big and small — and frequently recount His goodness whenever your heart is wavering.
Learn from the One who has loved you with His perfect, steadfast love. Study the Gospel and meditate on Christ’s fixed heart to go to the Cross for your salvation and for the joy set before Him. (See Psalm 115:1, Hebrews 6:19, 12:2.)
Put to memory specific verses that will anchor you to the truth — perhaps starting with some of the verses mentioned in this article. Or choose ones applicable to a current struggle or trial you’re walking through.
Ask your steadfast God to shape in you a steadfast heart, one that is fixed upon Him as the Anchor of your soul.
Pray the Word back to the Lord: ”My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I sing Your praise with my soul. I will not be afraid of evil tidings; my heart is steadfast, trusting in You, Lord.” (See Psalm 108:1, 112:7.)
This article was originally published in Issue 45.
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