[God] saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began

— 2 Timothy 1:9

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.

— Romans 6:9

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ

— 1 Corinthians 15:57

And I am 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

20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

21 equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

— Hebrews 13:20-21

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

As believers, we view our lives in the middle of the story of the Israel returnees from exile. We can rejoice that God called us to salvation in Christ. One day, we will be done with sin, conquer death, and spend eternity in God’s presence. Hallelujah! Though today might be still messy, you might feel the road is too long and your faith is too weak to reach the finish line, the good d news is finishing strong does not depend on us. God works within His people to accomplish all that obedience requires.

Paul wrote in Philippians 1:6: “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.” Therefore Paul could celebrate and testify that the Lord Jesus Christ had empowered him along his course. And one day, every believer will stand in God’s presence only because Christ made it happen. Certainly, God calls us to apply our human strength to following Jesus, seeking Him, and growing in practical righteousness. But we accomplish nothing of eternal value in our own strength. We find hope and confidence for a glorious finale of our faith journey only in Christ.