A Precious Promise of God's Perfecting Work

Day By Day By Grace
Bob Hoekstra
August 23, 2010

A Precious Promise of God's Perfecting Work

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me. (Psalm 138:8)

Again, we look at one of God's "precious promises" (2 Peter 1:4). This one pertains to His perfecting work in the lives of those who know Him and humbly depend upon Him. This priceless promise is the Old Testament antecedent of the one we recently considered from Philippians 1:6. "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it."

Think of the astounding implications of our present promise. "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me." Our God has pledged to fully accomplish His will and His plan in every matter that pertains to our lives. Let's consider three important examples of "that which concerns [us]": development of biblical understanding, growth in godliness, and (for the married) spiritual progress in marriage.

God's word reveals that He wants us to develop in biblical understanding. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12). If we will humbly feed on God's word, seeking Him for spiritual insight, He "will perfect that which concerns [us]" in this area of life.

God's word reveals His will for us to grow in godliness. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age" (Titus 2:11-12). If we seek the Lord and trust in Him for ongoing growth in godliness, He "will perfect that which concerns [us]" in this area as well.

God's word reveals His will with respect to spiritual progress in marriage. The Lord wants married couples to become mutually submissive servants, each serving the other out of reverence for the Lord: "submitting to one another in the fear of God" (Ephesians 5:21). The servant wife would follow the spiritual leadership of the husband. "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:22). The servant husband would love His wife with sacrificial Christ-like love. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her" (Ephesians 5:25). As each seeks the Lord for His transforming grace, He "will perfect that which concerns [us]" in this vital area of life also.

Dear Father, I acknowledge many futile attempts to perfect myself. I easily forget that You have promised to attend to my perfecting. My vain efforts only quench the work of Your Spirit of grace. Lord, please carry out Your transforming work in my study of Your word, in my need to grow in godliness, in my relationships at home—as well as in my testimony on the job, in my service of You—yes, in my entire life, in Jesus' name, Amen.