“With the kind (merciful, faithful, loyal) You show Yourself kind; with the blameless You show Yourself blameless” (Psalms 18:25) AMP.

Loyal: (Def: From Old French: Loial, from Latin: legalis ): Giving or showing firm and constant support or allegiance to a person or institution

Synonyms: Faithful, True, Truehearted, Tried and True, True-blue, Devoted, Constant, Steadfast, Staunch, Dependable, Reliable, Trusted, Trustworthy, Dutiful, Unchanging, Unswerving, Unwavering, Dedicated, Firm, Stable, Steady, Unfailing

In a present time of selfishness, treasonous abuse of power, authoritarian rule, and strict curtailments of individual liberties, it is tempting to abandon the Virtue of Loyalty. It is infinitely wise to follow the counsel of the Master Who said, “In your patience, possess your souls” (Luke 21:19). Thank you, Lord, for keeping us properly aligned to Your heart.

Loyal to the Lord: There is a stability, soundness and even-flow to being loyal to the Lord. There is a focus of will, soundness of mind, and calmness of heart in staying loyal to the Lord, even in the most trying of circumstance. The Apostle John found that focus, soundness and calmness standing before the Cross of his Master and seeing the Lord crucified before his very eyes. Think of that focus, soundness and calmness standing next to the Virgin Mary at the foot of the Cross and having a conversation with Jesus about the care of His Mother (cf. John 19:26-27). Consider the loyalty of John to Jesus to be there during His hour of trial and Crucifixion. Think of John’s loyalty to Mary, whom he later took into his own home and cared for as his own mother and became to her a son. The beauty of this degree of loyalty makes one weep.

Loyal to Your Calling: Are you at a stress point of quitting? Are you ready to give up? Before you do, give loyalty to your calling a second thought. You didn’t just think your calling was a great idea. You were called, chosen, appointed and given an assignment from the Lord. Loyalty to your calling is not a light thing. It is a heavy burden to bear. It is a burden placed upon you by the Lord with the grace to stay faithful, tried and true, along with His unfailing love to sustain you in your hour of decision.

Loyal to your Family: In the Lord we are blessed with two families, one natural and one spiritual. Let us be loyal to both. Your husband, your wife, your children, your mother, your father, your brother, your sister, your cousins. Let us stay the course together.

Loyal to your Friends: How many friends do you have? Can you count them on one hand? Both hands? You are blessed. Life-long friends from high school, college, work and recreation. Be loyal to everyone. Be with them in life. Be with them in death, to the very last breath. Yes, it is painful, but it is more precious than gold.

Loyal to your Community: We all live somewhere. We have neighbors. We live in community. Be loyal to yours. Smile a little, be friendly, give a helping hand and be sure to tell them about Jesus, if not by word, then by deed. Love speaks for itself. God can do a lot without us. But you can pitch in a little.

Loyal to your Country: “Render to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that be God’s” (Luke 20:25). President Kennedy famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Pray, ask God for wisdom in your situation. Be loyal to your country to help make it a better place; a place where there is liberty and justice for all. The Apostle Paul was a Roman citizen and exercised his rights as such. Loyalty to God and Country is an axiom that never becomes archaic.

Are you faithful, true, devoted, constant, steadfast, staunch, dependable, reliable, trustworthy, dutiful, unswerving, unwavering, dedicated, firm, stable, steady, unfailing? Yes, well, look what the Lord has done. Loyalty, it is still a Virtue.

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