I have a picture in my office given to me from the ICI organization of a half-finished statue being carved out of rock entitled, “The Unfinished Task.” It’s message, of course, is to emphasize the fact that our work of evangelizing the world is never finished. However, it represents much more to me than just that. I see myself as an unfinished work of God. I am that unfinished piece of art sitting on that table in the middle of all the chips of rock, with the hammer and chisel.
The re-re-re-discovery of Psalm 138:8 filled me with awe…with a deep gratitude for the grace of God. These words contain a simple, plain-spoken promise of God, which all who are among His children can take to heart:
The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever —
do not abandon the works of your hands. NIV
The KJV says, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me…”
That’s it! Every time I mess up, despite my good intentions, God has pledged that He will “fulfill,” or, “perfect” that which concerns me. I’m grateful because God will do something for me that I cannot do. Of course, this is not God’s only word on the subject. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that He is “the author and perfecter of our faith.” (NIV)
But there’s more good news! God is much more deeply involved in us than that. Ephesians 1:4 says, “He chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.” (NIV) But not only did He choose us, He even chose the works which He created us to do for Him: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)
I hope you find as much comfort in this as I do. Can God fail? Never! The Bible assures us that His Word will not return unto Him void. What He sets Himself to do will take place, even more surely than that the sun will rise in the morning. Our job is to keep walking toward Him.
So when we doubt…when our well laid plans misfire…when the wheels come off…when we stumble…God is there to pick us up and guide us back to His path. He keeps working in us to fulfill His purpose.
That’s my point of view.
P.S. Eternity will not be long enough to express our gratitude for this simple truth!