The Lord will Fulfill His Purpose in Me (Psalm 138:8)

The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

How comforting is it to know that we do not have to strain and strive for God's perfect will to be accomplished in our lives? It is God Himself who promises to fulfill His will in us.

Yes the Apostle Paul talks about "pressing on" and "straining toward what is ahead" (Phil 3::12-14) but these phrases are not about us achieving anything by brute force or willpower.

Rather, the straining and pressing on is with regard to maintaining a disposition of faith in the promises of God despite whatever circumstances come our way.

Our effort should not be directed toward imposing our will upon circumstances.

Our effort should instead be directed toward keeping our gaze fixed upon Jesus Christ no matter what the circumstance.

The clay does not strain to become molded into a beautiful object.

The branch of the tree does not strive to produce abundant fruit.

The clay yields itself completely and totally to the hands of the potter, and allows itself to be molded according to his will.

The branch merely remains connected to the trunk and the roots, and receives all it needs to produce fruit spontaneously.

We must not allow ourselves to become distracted with vain occupations under the guise of "freedom."

True freedom is found only when we abide in the Wellspring of Life Himself.

For we are God’s masterpiece.

He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,

so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Eph 2:10