Message summary: God who began the good work in us is fully committed to its completion (on this side) which will come about when we draw our final breath. May the Word of God help us dig our way through the stormy messes that could easily slow us down or even deter us from reaching the other side of victory.

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“The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me” (Psalm 138:8). “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).

Following the news about the flooding in the Southeast I saw that Lake Lure and the Chimney Rock area were heavily flooded. I first read a headline and saw "Chimney Rock Is No More" (or to that effect). That baffled me since Chimney Rock sits high on a mountain and I couldn't imagine how a flood would destroy it. Well, turns out the headline was referring to the town below it that is along a river.

We visited this area about 15 years ago and took the lead photo of the lake. It was a beautiful, serene scene!

The photo above from an almost identical spot but flooded as a result of the hurricane. Destruction like this is all over the southeast and many, many are suffering including the loss of many lives.

“Digging out” is a phrase used to describe the recovery after a disaster like this. We can only imagine how much has been ruined and all the work cleaning out all the unsalvageable and then rebuilding in many cases as entire homes and businesses were completely destroyed.

These areas will feel the impact of this storm for many years to come and this will require great diligence and duration beginning with "digging out". Just consider the misery of removing waterlogged carpet and furnishings.

We can pray for and support efforts to assist these people as well as praying God's comfort for those whose loved ones perished. Heartbreaking stories abound.*

"Digging out" is also figuratively used in other areas of life such as “digging out of debt”. Our digging out from the messy storms of life along with our own personal messes we have made will also require great diligence and duration.

For some, digging out can be a long process since many have piled upon themselves layer upon layer of poor decisions that have resulted in years of sorrow and regret. God offers forgiveness and a new start, but in life and ministry we are all digging out or have dug out of something and hopefully are helping others dig out as a consequence of redemption.

Mike and Kathy are friends in North Carolina who work with men before they leave prison who have accepted Christ to prepare them for life outside when they leave. That work involves a lot of digging out!

Consider our life being a project; a long-term, lifetime project. What tremendous confidence the Psalmist expresses in the first daily text. I want to appropriate this truth to my life and encourage you to do the same. Read it slowly and consider its personalized truth. “The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me". The KJV states, “The LORD will perfect that which concerns me". The NASV reads this way, “The LORD will accomplish what concerns me".

God started the redemption work when we placed our trust in Christ. For some the process has just begun, for others it’s been over many years. But when God starts His redemption work in our life we can rest assured that He will complete it. Paul expressed this to the Philippians, “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).

I believe Paul was directing the believers’ attention to Jesus who works in our lives and perfects our walk as we keep our eyes on Him. Whatever mess we are in when we turn to Christ He can dig us out! Paul traveled continuously starting churches and returning for visits so that he could inspire, instruct, and when needed rebuke those who in were in error. Surely, at the end of each visit, a number of them wondered how they could grow in their faith walk without their leader’s presence.

Pastors, teachers, evangelists, and lay leaders like our longtime friends, Mike and Kathy, and many others like them are the human messengers God uses to advance His kingdom and to mature His people, which includes helping others to dig out. 

But God’s work is seen individually in those who seek after Him in their own devotional time, through Christian service, and through the daily experiences of life where we especially learn about Him. What a wonderful joy to know that the work of God in our lives is more than just a temporary project based upon a particular Bible study we’re attending or a conference we attend.

The good news is that God who began the good work in us is fully committed to its completion (on this side) which will come about when we draw our final breath. May the Word of God guide and sustain us as we continue to dig our way through the stormy messes that could easily slow us down or even deter us from reaching the other side of victory.
 
The good work which God began He begins in the individual heart. It will be completed over our lifetime and it will be fulfilled according to His purpose and His time!

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

"He Who Began A Good Work" Listen on YouTube  Steve Green

Video of flooded Lake Lure  This begins with the same view as our lead photo.

* Heartbreaking final photo shows NC grandparents trapped on roof before they were swept away by floodwaters along with grandson