God is at Work in You
Psalm 138:8 is a favorite verse of mine. In the English Standard Version, it reads, “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.” That promise gives me such faith and encouragement! Left to myself, I worry that I am missing the mark, that I’m not doing enough or trying hard enough. Guilt may set in, or striving. But there is rest in knowing that our loving God is capable – and willing – to guide my steps.
God has purpose for each one of us, and through our faith in Him, He will fulfill it. He is our Creator. He knows exactly how He made us, and He knows exactly how to bring about His plans for us.
Philippians 2:13 (NIV) explains it further: “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.” That good purpose is God-designed, and He is at work in us to accomplish it. Thankfully, we don’t have to figure it all out on our own! When we have faith in Jesus, God’s Spirit lives within us, helping us to live according to His will and purpose. He graciously gives us both the desire (the will) and the ability (the action) to fulfill His calling on our lives.
The Christian life is not solely dependent on our own efforts and willpower. Isn’t that good news?! Yet, of course, our effort and willpower are required, in the measure we can muster, but this isn’t a solo act. This life of faith is a partnership between us and God, and He takes the greater role.
I like to think of it as a dance. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (or he will direct your paths).” In a couple’s dance, I put my hand in my partner’s – this is the trust part. Then he can lead me in the steps of the dance – God directing my path. But then it is up to me to follow his lead – to walk in the paths God lays out for me. My trust, His leading, my obedience – around the dance floor of life!
And, so my Dear One, I echo the words of Philippians 1:4-6. “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel … 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.”
God is at work in you. He is fulfilling His purpose for you, according to His unfailing love for you. Enjoy the dance!
A Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for Your promise that You are at work in my life, fulfilling the destiny I was created for. Thank You that Your love is unfailing, Your grace is eternal, and Your wisdom is perfect, and that You are alive and at work in me. Help me to keep my trust in You and follow Your lead all of my days. Amen.
