“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.” – Philippians 1:6
The Assurance of God’s Work
We can take comfort in knowing that God is the ultimate promise keeper. When we consider the ways God has worked in our lives, we find assurance that He finishes what He starts. This isn’t just a random act; it’s grounded in His nature. Our Creator is faithful to fulfill His plans and purposes. It’s easy to get discouraged when things seem unfinished or chaotic, but we must remember that the story isn’t over yet. God is still at work, shaping us and our circumstances to reflect His glory. We can confidently trust in His process, knowing He will see everything through to the very end.
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.” – Philippians 1:6
Hebrews 10:23
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23
1 Thessalonians 5:24
“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:24
Isaiah 46:10
“I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” – Isaiah 46:10
Romans 8:28
“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.” – Romans 8:28
God’s Faithfulness
In our lives, we often face seasons of doubt and uncertainty. However, God’s faithfulness remains a constant source of strength for us. He continuously demonstrates that He is never caught off guard, and we can rely on His faithfulness throughout every trial. When we look back at the moments where we felt abandoned, it becomes clearer that God was right there, making sure everything united to bring about His intended outcomes. His faithfulness reassures us that no matter our circumstances, He is finishing His work in us and through us.
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
2 Timothy 2:13
“If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.” – 2 Timothy 2:13
Psalm 100:5
“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” – Psalm 100:5
2 Peter 3:9
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
Trusting in God’s Timing
Sometimes, we struggle to see how God is finishing what He starts because we are impatient. We want answers and we want them now, yet God operates in His perfect timing. God’s perspective of time is different, and He sees the bigger picture that we might miss. By trusting in His timing, we learn the vital lesson that every stage of our development serves a purpose. This understanding can be freeing, as we let go of our need to rush through life. Instead, we rest in knowing He is at work, aligning everything just right.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11
Psalm 27:14
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” – Psalm 27:14
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
Romans 15:13
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
God’s Promise of Completion
During our walk with God, we can hold tightly to the promise that He will complete the work within us. This assurance is vital for our spiritual growth. Whenever we face setbacks or feel incomplete, we can remind ourselves that God has an ongoing plan. He steadily works on our hearts, transforming us into reflections of His love and grace. We are not discarded halfway through; instead, we are being molded and created anew, right to the final stroke. Racing ahead is unnecessary, for God’s commitment to His promises never falters.
1 Corinthians 1:8-9
“He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:8-9
Philippians 2:13
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” – Philippians 2:13
2 Corinthians 1:20
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:20
Isaiah 55:11
“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 55:11
Luke 1:37
“For no word from God will ever fail.” – Luke 1:37
Encouragement in Struggles
Every step of the process may not be easy, but we can take heart because God finishes what He starts. When struggles arise, we often feel anxious, but we can remind ourselves that these hardships are part of our growth journey. They are tools that God uses to break us down and build us back up stronger and more resilient. Instead of letting frustration cloud our mindset, we should lean on Scripture for encouragement. Remembering that challenges momentarily endure, but God’s work within us is permanent gives us hope.
Romans 5:3-4
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5:3-4
James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” – James 1:2-4
2 Corinthians 4:16
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16
1 Peter 5:10
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – 1 Peter 5:10
Romans 8:18
“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18
Listening to God’s Guidance
Understanding that God finishes what He starts involves being attentive to His guidance through the Holy Spirit. We need to cultivate a relationship with Him that allows us to discern His voice amidst the noise of life. Being responsive to His leading allows us to stay on track with His plans for us. Sometimes, all it requires is slowing down and listening, which can be the hardest part. However, being in sync with God’s will paves the way for us to fully experience the greatness of His finished work in our lives.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
John 16:13
“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” – John 16:13
Psalm 32:8
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” – Psalm 32:8
Isaiah 30:21
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” – Isaiah 30:21
1 John 2:27
“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.” – 1 John 2:27
Final Thoughts
We can trust wholeheartedly that God is in the business of finishing what He starts. His faithfulness is a beautiful reminder that no matter how incomplete or messy our lives may appear, there is purpose in each moment we experience. God is layering our lives like an artist with a grand vision, carefully shaping us to be reflections of His love and light. We ought to hold onto the truth that His work is not limited by our circumstances; instead, He writes our stories with His eternal grace.
As children of God, our faith needs to work hand in hand with patience as we understand that fulfillment takes time. Surrounded by the assurance of His promises, we embark on our lives knowing that He is not done with us yet. May we be encouraged to listen for His voice and trust in His timing, knowing that we get to witness the completion of His glorious plans in our lives. If you’re curious to dive deeper into pursuing purpose, check out some related topics such as fulfilling God’s purpose or fulfilling God’s plan for revelation.
Life offers struggles, but each has the potential to bear testimony of God’s love for us. As we walk through our days trusting in Him, we will overcome trials and see the beauty of His completed work in our lives.