Good Morning,
"We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety." (2 Corin. 1:8-11) As you read this verse you can see that the early saints were going through tough and difficult times. How relevant is the Word of God for us today? It is like reading today's headlines. During the trials and tests they learned to rely on God and to stop putting their trust in their abilities and strength. Maybe, the Lord is bringing us to that place of relying only on Him. Rely is to hold and cleave to; to have confidence and a feeling of security, to expect with certainty; to lean and rest upon. Are you confident that God will rescue, deliver, save, and restore you and do whatever is necessary to bring you out? "And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you." (Phil. 1:6)
Our Father is not going to stop or quit until He completes the work that He started, so we must not quit. Completion means to bring to fruition; to accomplish; to finish; to carry out in action; to bring to the intended or final condition or perfected state. God is bringing us to a perfected state, we are maturing, growing in Him. We can trust and rely on God, for over and over He affirms that He is not confused by anything going on in our lives. I realize that we struggle with the temporary things that we go through, but we must come to the place that know that the key is that we 'go through.' Those states or conditions are not permanent for us. Remember, "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you." (1 Peter 5:10) After, after, after, you have suffered a little while. Whoa, what does that mean to us people of faith? Suffered carries the meaning to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo. So after you undergo an experience, [tests, trials, tribulations, etc], then God will bring to fruition or bring you to your intended or perfected state, making you what you ought to be. All of us go through in order to become established securely and settled in Him, we learn to rely on Him and not in our own crafty schemes or abilities. God's Word is constantly working on our behalf. Remember; "For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish [same as completion; bring to fruition] that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Is. 55:10-11) We can rely on God to rescue us and to finish what He started in us! It shall be accomplished.
Love,
Pastor D.
Daughters of Z 