February 7, 2012

Philippians 1:3-6

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

     Have you ever found yourself striving to be a good Christian, praying, meditating on the Word of God, only to consistently find yourself struggling w/sin? Maybe it’s a myriad of things…maybe it’s those white lies, or maybe it’s just that one little temptation that gets you every time! In times like these, it’s easy to get discouraged and think that we’ll never get to the point where the disciples did, where Paul did, and even worse, where God wants us to be. Our sins make us ashamed and keep us in these situations because we often feel unworthy of being in God’s presence.

     However, that’s when you have to remember, the one who began this work in you, this work of salvation, of transformation, of wisdom, of peace? That same entity is going to be faithful to complete His work in you and that entity is GOD! God isn’t like us as human beings. He doesn’t automatically turn His back on us when we miss the mark. Rather, He is shaping you, molding you into the person He wants you to be. God is faithful and He never begins anything just to decide not to finish it. He completes everything He does, and all of it is perfect. The author of this hymn captured it well when he said,

“Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not. As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be. Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”

     You may not believe me now, but just you wait and see. At the end of the day, you’ll see not only did He have a plan in mind…He was creating a masterpiece!!! :)