ISAIAH 46:8-11 – Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from afar country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”

As Christians, we are a people in total reliance on what God said and what God purposed. We are a people of faith in His Word and His purposes. We don’t see Jesus physically, though we will. We don’t hear an audible word from Jesus, though we will.

In this world and realm, we please the Lord by trusting in what He says and what He purposes – And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6); In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel (purpose) of his will (Ephesians 1:11). It is in these two realms of exercising faith – what God says or promises and what He is doing –fulfilling His purposes – that we find our comfort and strength to fight the good fight, run the race, and finish the course (2 Timothy 4:7).

When God declares, “My counsel shall stand”, He is telling us, “My promises are true. My promises are trustworthy. My promises may be relied upon.” We read these encouraging words in the book of Joshua – Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass(Joshua 21:45). When life is dark, let the blazing light of God’s faithful promises burn away the clouds of doubt and unbelief.

Another great source of strength and comfort is the certainty of God fulfilling His declared purposes–I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. And what is God’s primary purpose in our lives? The Apostle Paul declares it – And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers(Romans 8:28-29). The chief purpose of God for our lives is the continual work of making us like the Lord Jesus. Every circumstance, situation, trial, and testing points to this purpose. Keep that in mind as life goes through its many twists and turns. All are directed to the purpose of the Lord of molding us into His image.

During life, our sources of strength and comfort are God’s promises and His purposes. They are reliable. Let us abandon ourselves to both. We will find rest for our souls and encouragement for our hearts.

PRAYER: “Father, thank You for being faithful to Your purposes in my life.”

QUOTE: “What God starts; God finishes. What God says He will do; He does. Trust Him for both.”

Because of Him,

Pastor Jim