ISAIAH 45:5 – I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me.”
Today’s theme does not always feel like it is happening in our lives. What Christian who yearns for spiritual growth and maturity in Christ has not wondered whether God is really working in their lives to those ends? Who has not felt discouraged that we do not sense much spiritual change in us? Who has not spiritually struggled at the “snail’s pace” of spiritual progress that appears to mark our walks with the Lord?
Well, there is a principle in today’s scripture to help us overcome those depressing seasons. But before we identify it, there is something in the verse needing to be clarified for us. The verse ends with the words “though you do not know me”. It was true in the historical context as applied to those people. For our purposes today, it is not true. We know the Lord. We just struggle with recognizing the work of the Lord in our lives. And that takes us to the principle. God says, “I equip you, though you do not know me.” He is saying, “I am at work in you even though you don’t recognize My hand doing the work.” How true that is with us! But let’s look at this through the lens of encouragement.
First, God is at work in us regardless of our consciously recognizing the work. This is the reality of the Christian life. We live by faith, not sight or feelings. When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He came to Peter and here is the dialogue – He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand”(John 13:6-7). Peter didn’t get what Jesus was doing in the moment, but he would soon. Same with us. God is at work in every moment of our lives. Often, we don’t understand what He is doing immediately. Be patient. Be trusting. He will reveal the work and lessons at His choosing. Faith accepts that.
Next, God has no unfinished work in the lives of His people. Unlike us, there are no “unfinished projects” lying around with the Lord. He starts the work in our lives and will finish the work in our lives – And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). Again, we may not be conscious of the specifics of His work, but we are confident of two things about His work; it is to conform us into the image of Christ and it will continue until that conformity is complete. Faith accepts those truths.
The prophet Isaiah wrote of the Lord, “I equip you.” This is God’s promise and work in us. Trust Him for it, even when we don’t see or feel it.
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for always working in my life, even when I don’t see or feel Your work.”
QUOTE: “Trust that God is at work in your life because He is. His work doesn’t depend on our awareness.”
Because of Him,
Pastor Jim