The English language includes many colourful sayings. Quiet as a mouse. Like a fish out of water. Reliable as clockwork. Such phrases capture some aspect of life, of attitudes and actions in a colourful memorable way. To describe someone or something to be reliable as clockwork has reference to the preciseness of the design of a clock. A well made clock can be relied upon to measure the passing of time accurately. Indeed things that are made very well can usually be relied upon. Generally they will not let you down.

All of us do know however what it is to be let down by something or someone. Do you recall that unreliable car or motorbike? Not to mention the tradesperson who said they would come at 10.00 a.m and did not come until nearly 11.00 or did not come at all. It seems even more of a let down when on some occasions it dawns on us that the person never had any intention of coming! You cannot rely on such for their punctuality or their promise to come or carry out some task.

In the book of proverbs in the Bible we read this verse ‘ Confidence in an unfaithful man in a time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot’. (Proverbs 25 verse 19). Apart from the obvious pain, that tooth will not help you to chew and that foot will not give you support when you require it. They are not up to the job. They will let you down. It is a common experience in life. We are let down and we let others down. Disappointment and disillusionment often follow.

Conversely we read ‘ Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters’. (Proverbs 25 verse 13). That is to say a reliable, faithful, dependable messenger is like a cold drink on a hot day – it is good!

If we choose to depend on God, if we rely on what He has revealed in the creation and sustaining of the visible world around us and in the Bible He has caused to be written for us, then we will not be let down or disappointed. We will find God to be reliable, dependable and trustworthy. We are confronted in the New Testament with Jesus as the Son of God and Saviour of the world. God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we confess our sins to Him. We can depend on God’s grace and goodness. There is forgiveness. There is cleansing. It is certain. He will not let you down, but you must turn to Him.