Pastor's Desk
January 8 , 2006
GOD IS AT work in the world to accomplish his purposes in spite of opposition to those purposes. Because God is God he can be sure that ultimately his purposes will prevail. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:8-11)
As human beings we are on earth and have the freedom and opportunity to choose whether we want to oppose God and his purposes or cooperate with God. We can choose our way or God’s way. We can fight against God or choose to obey him. It is not really a complicated decision except that the enemy through his deceptive tactics often confuses this decision by blinding us with alluring distractions and deafening us with alternative voices. But I believe that if we call out to God through the distractions and past the voices he will hear us. “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” (Isaiah 55:6-7)
We must open our hearts and let God work in us to accomplish his purposes in our individual lives. Some people feel they must clean themselves up first and then they plan to let God work in them. They do not realize that they cannot clean themselves up—only God can clean them up. Our responsibility is only to say “Yes” to the Lord, yield to him and cooperate with him as he works in us to accomplish his good purpose. And his purposes are wonderful, beneficial and glorious!
*************
… he who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you
to will and to act according to his good purpose.
(Philippians 1:6; 2:12-13)
This page was last updated on Friday, January 6, 2006