The Work is Never Done

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. – (Philippians 1:6, NIV) 

I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until He completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again. – (Philippians 1:6, ERV) 

I pray with great faith for you, because I’m fully convinced that the One who began this glorious work in you will faithfully continue the process of maturing you and will put His finishing touches to it until the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ! – (Philippians 1:6, TPT) 

The same encouragement that Paul give to the church in Philippi applies to each of us who are pursuing God today. It is a promise that reminds us that we are a work in progress. I find great comfort in this, as I know that though He has done much refining in me, there is much to still be done. Not one of us “arrives” to sit idly by, but rather we need forever pursue God’s best for us and those around us. We are being made new and refined each day that we draw breath, until our days are through. I am so thankful that we get to be lifelong learners, rather than take some crash course and suddenly think that we have learned all there is to know and no longer need to grow. One of the best examples of this that I have known was my grandmother. My entire life, her purpose was to never stop learning and growing. She lived it out well, as her mind stayed sharp and her faith secure, even until her dying day, well into her nineties. Her faithful pursuit of God and a deeper understanding of everything and everyone around her, modeled for me that we should never stop learning and growing. May we never stop seeking God and His heart, so that we continue to learn and grow as He intended, until we meet Him face-to-face. 

Choose to seek the Lord, 

Throughout each new day; 

His faithful presence, 

Will show us the way. 

For it’s God’s purpose, 

His most perfect plan; 

To grow and refine, 

Show us how to stand. 

Stand in His wisdom, 

His goodness and grace; 

Learn love as He loves, 

‘til we see His face. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You love, grow and refine us as we earnestly seek You. Thank You that this is a lifelong process. Forgive us for neglecting to listen or act upon the ways in which You are leading us to learn, change and grow. Teach us to trust You and the process by which You refine us. Show us how to love more like You every day that we draw breath. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You and trust You to keep growing and refining us until the day that we meet You face-to-face. Amen. 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Who is like You, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and Your faithfulness surrounds You. – Psalm 89:8

Refined to Reflect Radiance

In the midst of tremendous loss, and in the face of his friends who were making false assumptions about why he was suffering, Job stood firm in the truth. He did not know nor understand why he was suffering, but he knew that when it was over, he would once again feel God’s favor upon him. Job’s confidence in God, despite his misery, is clearly defined in the following: But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. – (Job 23:10)

 

No, none of us are without sin, nor could we ever measure up on our own. However, when we are actively pursuing God’s very best for our lives, Christ in us covers and cleanses us from our sin, and allows us to be seen as blameless before Him. Regardless of the struggles or trials we are facing, He is with us, and when we get through them having clung to Christ, we more clearly reflect His heart and His character to those around us. More than that, our hope is not merely for what may become here, but rather for all of eternity. Our future in Christ is secure, and He alone is on whom we can depend forever.

 

Our ways are all known,

each turn that we take;

He sees each triumph,

each choice that we make.

In times of trial,

He knows where we cling;

He remains present,

through our suffering.

When we don’t feel Him,

He still is right there;

present forever,

our answer to prayer.

Through the press and rub,

of trials foretold;

when the testing ends,

we shall be as gold.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You know us and love us and remain with us, even when times are tough. Thank You that though trials and suffering are never pleasurable, You use them for our ultimate good, by refining us and helping us to more clearly reflect You. Forgive us for not clinging completely to You in the midst of our messes, and help us to seek You with our whole heart in all things and at all times. Teach us to trust You more, so that we may be confident and secure in Your nearness, regardless of what we feel. Help us to keep the end in sight, knowing that You will see us through. May we love as You love us, and may many who are seeking, come to know You as their Savior and King. Be glorified, O God, as we are refined to reflect Your glory. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. – Ephesians 2:4-5