God's Good Work

God's Good Work
March 29, 2010
Hebrews 13:21 "..equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


No one likes to be worked on, at least not when it is uncomfortable. Sure, you might want someone to take care of you when you're sick or give you a massage when you're stressed, but you never want someone to challenge you out of your comfort zone. It feels better to sit in an easy chair than lift the weight of change, especially, self change. But that is what God likes to do; He likes to work on you so you can work for Him. Yes, it seems like a lot of effort, when it would be easier if He just did the work Himself; for some reason He wants you working alongside of Him. In order to work alongside of Him, you must be equipped to do the work; you must be up to the challenge. And so, God works on you, sometimes a little at a time, sometimes a lot at once.

Scripture says in Philippians 1:6, "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." This means that God is intent on working on you until the day you die. Every day He wants you to look more like Him and so He works on you. God works on you through the everyday situations of life. He uses the check-out lane at the store, the brash person at work, the unloving spouse, the intolerant child, the overbearing mother, the unsatisfying job.... You name it and God will use it. He wants to refine you into the quality and character of Himself. And He does this for one reason alone, so that you may carry on the good works of Christ.

God even uses the awful situations in life to work on you. Romans 8:28, an all too familiar verse says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." This scripture is given to us in hard times. God did not give us this verse for when things are easy or when we're having a good day. He gave us this verse to keep us moving forward when we want to quit. When you have all the wind knocked out of you because of what life is bringing down on you, you are to quote this verse, being confident that God IS in control. When life is hard, it is easy to get frustrated, overwhelmed, and weary, wanting to give in, feeling like God does not care about you or is ignoring your hardship. It is quite the contrary. God has given you this verse for when it takes more than faith to feel like God knows what He is doing. It takes a hard trust in the validity of this verse to keep going, when you want to collapse.

Christian, God has a plan, and I wish I only knew what it was for you and me. I would like to quit so many things in this life, but I must press on, knowing that God is not done working in and through me. Though you might want to quit and give up, you must press on, knowing that God is not done working in or through you and this current situation. You cannot give up on your life or what God has brought to you. You must submit every situation in life to Him, no matter how uncomfortable or how challenging it may feel. It is your destiny, I know it for sure. Though it does not feel like your destiny, God will be faithful to complete the good work that He started in you and He IS using what you are going through right now. So, instead of giving up, instead of quitting, quote Romans 8:28, knowing that God is still on His throne. In what you're going through right now, make Hebrews 13:21 your prayer; reword it for yourself, "Lord equip me with everything good for doing your will, and work in me right now, through this situation, what is pleasing to you, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

1. In what situation would you like to give up?
2. How can you view that situation as from the Lord?
3. How can you learn from that situation to be more like Christ?

Add. Scriptures for Study: Rom 8:28, 2 Cor 9:8, Eph 1:1, Eph 2:10, Phil 1:6, Phil 2:13, 2 Tim 2:21, 2 Tim 3:17