Perhaps you're feeling discouraged today because you’ve tried hard to change, but can't see any progress. Maybe you feel like giving up? You’re not alone. Let Paul's words comfort you: “Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time” (Gal. 6:9 NLT).
You are a divine work in progress. God is at work in you to conform you to the image of Jesus. It gives God pleasure [to be] working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him and the power to do what pleases Him (Eph. 2:10;1:5; Ro. 8:29; Phil. 2:13).
Doesn’t it make sense since God is the one doing the work we should expect a good outcome? The Bible is quite clear on this point: God, having begun a good work in you, will FINISH it (Phil. 1:6). What's more, His work is PERFECT (Heb. 13:21).
The next time you feel depressed by an apparent lack of progress, remind yourself that you are a divine work in progress, and that He isn’t finished yet.
God bless you, brother, for sharing these encouraging verses. I very much needed to hear these exact words this day.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that you have the gift of encouragement. What a very blessed gift to have, one that seems all too rare in an ever increasing narcissistic world.
Greg,
ReplyDeleteI recently discovered that the most often used word in Hebrew for "hope" has a first occurence in Joshua chapter two. It is the word translated twice as "cord" referring to the scarlet cord that Rahab used to help the two Hebrew spies escape out of Jericho, and, the sign by which she and her family were to receive protection from the Hebrew invaders as they poured into Jericho after the walls fell flat.
When I am made conscious of "work in progress" that happens Oh so slow because of my slowness to "get it" I am given renewed hope that as long as I hang on to God and His process(es) I can have hope, expectancy, and certainty that "what He has promised He is able to perform until the Day of Jesus Christ!"(Phlp 1:6) My "cord" of assurance--the Blood of Jesus and the Cross at work within me--guarantees my final and ultimate rescue and safety...forever!
Thanks again for your encouragement and how you are prompting a gratitude and faith exercised toward our Lord!
Stan
Thanks Rich for encouraging me with your words. And Stan, thanks for this great picture of "hanging on by a thread!"
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