The Lifelong Gospel
Scripture Reading — Psalm 121; Philippians 1:3-6
He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6
“I’ve never felt so helpless.”
Those were the words of Jim lying on the ice, the pain screaming that his hockey season was over after a hard fall broke his leg in two places.
Like Jim, we too must ask at some point, “Where does my help come from?”
Often we may feel we are the most helpless creatures. In ourselves, we are powerless to stop sin from breaking us or to keep evil from crippling us. At the same time, we are also the most helped. God’s good work in Jesus Christ allows us whose lives are spiritually broken and crippled to be healed and restored to spiritual health.
The Lord is the Great Physician! Through checkups, prescriptions, and verbal reminders of what it takes to live a long and healthy life, my doctor gives me a good idea where I stand. But in the end, he leaves my life in my hands. The Great Physician, however, is different. God has not only birthed me in grace; he also sustains me in his grace and assumes responsibility to completely transform me by his grace. God has begun and will complete his good work in all of us who believe.
Sin still destroys and evil still cripples today. But the Lord does not abandon the work of his hands, and that is cause for great joy.
Where does your help come from?
Dear Lord, thank you for the privilege to say, “My help comes from the LORD.” I praise you that my past, present, and future are securely in your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Calvin Hoogendoorn
Rev. Calvin Hoogendoorn serves as senior pastor of First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Previously he served two churches in Illinois. He and his wife, Carla, have three daughters.
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