Start to Finish

Often we liken the habits of man to the habits of God. If one perceived themselves as fun-loving they would conclude God as being fun-loving. If one saw themselves as having difficulty they would fashion an idea that God has difficulty. Projecting our humanity upon His divinity could lead one to a misconception about how God functions and thus find themselves living with a faith that is fragile, futile, and fickle.

This fallacy becomes apparent when in our humanness we fail to finish tasks of faith that we start. We begin with confident resolve affirming that nothing can shake us. Our love is heartfelt and steady. Yet, we fail to remember the sinful pleasures and temptations of this world that keep calling our name and once again at the point of being allured by its call we ignore the reality of our own evil hearts that can never conquer sin.
King David—like us, displayed a heart for God then failing to finish what he started because of a sinful heart —expressed a divine confidence of the Lord’s work on his behalf. Even though he staggered, the perfect grace of His Rock did not. His dependence was on God alone when he said, “The Lord will work out his plans for my life.” (Psalm 138:8 NLT)
David was confident in everything that concerned him because he knew that from start to finish the Lord God Almighty could not, would not fail His promise towards him. God has a purpose for each believer. The apostle Paul was also certain about God’s purpose for our lives. “I am sure that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6 ESV)

God will not forsake you. He will not let you down. Whatever is left to be done in you God will do it. God has a great purpose to fulfill through your life, and He will not allow the enemy to frustrate that purpose. When you fall or are inclined to waver in your mind concerning the finish line of your faith follow the example of David and pray with confidence in the steadfast eternal enduring love of God that He will carry you forward across the finish line He has predetermined for you.
It has well been said that the purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven but to get God’s will done on earth, and this was demonstrated in David’s life. Can it be said of your life?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The 80-20 Rule

In 1906, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto created a mathematical formula to describe the unequal distribution of wealth in his country, observing that twenty percent of the people owned eighty percent of the wealth. The Pareto Principle, or 80/20 rule, states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.   Although this rule was first applied in Italy when Pareto was looking at the dispersal of wealth, it has since become a rule of thumb for many businesses.   It has been said that 20% of your workforce does 80% of the work, or 80% of your sales come from 20% of your clients.   I think this law comes into play in our lives as well.   Life is 20% what happens to you and 80% what you make of it. There are tons of stories about people who come out of difficult situations — gang life, in and out of jail, drug addiction, broken families, abuse – yet still seem to rise to the top.   And of course, there are many stories of those who have been given everything they would n
Read more

FREEDOM’S PRICE

In 1781, the Fourth of July was named a national holiday and today fireworks, parades and picnics still mark this celebration. Because on July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence proclaimed the thirteen colonies free from British rule. What proceeded and followed this declaration were the historic battles still taught in every elementary school. For six years the colonies shook with the Battles of Concord and Lexington, Bunker Hill and Saratoga. The war finally ended at Valley Forge where British General Cornwallis surrendered to what would be the United States’ first president, George Washington. Two years later the British and the Americans signed a peace treaty in France. Freedom does not come without a price. Through the Revolutionary War our nation’s freedom was paid for by the blood and sacrifice of the men and women who fought for their dream of what would become the United States. The battles were not easy, and the years took their toll on our young nation. In t
Read more

WALK THE TALK

As far as your spiritual life is concerned religious talk is not good enough. The apostle John makes this clear in his little epistle 1 John 2:4-6. If someone claims, “I know God," but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. John is not talking about sinless perfection here but rather that a Christ-follower is to relate to others the way Jesus did. In other words we have to walk the walk like Jesus. Walking as Jesus walked begins with loving other people. Christ-followers have tried to make Christianity more difficult than it really is. We’ve make it about church membership, or a particular theological persuasion, or saying the right words during baptism, or what version of the Bible is the only one to be used. The apostle is clear. W
Read more