Philippians 1:4–6, “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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.”
We love completion. There’s something deeply satisfying about tying off the last detail of a project, stepping back, and seeing it finished. Yet when it comes to our spiritual lives, God rarely reveals the finished product to us ahead of time. Instead, He begins a work in us and then invites us to walk it out—step by step—by faith.
That’s not usually our favorite way. God’s way requires trust. It keeps us leaning on Him daily instead of settling into the illusion that we can walk out our faith in our own strength and without seeking Him through His Word.
One of the greatest dangers to a life of faith is misplacing our trust. Resources themselves aren’t bad—money, skills, connections, opportunities—but they can lull us into a false sense of security.
Maybe you don’t have enough, and you cling to what you do have, endlessly worrying about how you’ll ever make it. You think about God, but deep down you’re not trusting Him to help you. You’re leaning on your own strength instead of looking to Him.
Or maybe your situation is the opposite. Perhaps you have more than enough—resources, security, and freedom—and yet you still feel spiritually dry and empty. Why? Because the joy that comes from money or things is always temporary, and chasing pleasure never satisfies the soul. God does want to bless us, but His ultimate goal is not our independence—it’s His work in us. He began that good work to draw people into His Kingdom and fulfill His purpose through us.
So what is this “good work" God wants to do in me? It is the transformation of your heart and life through Jesus Christ. It’s God shaping your character, growing your faith, teaching you to love others, and using your life to point people back to Him. It’s not just about what you achieve, but about who you become in Him—more like Jesus day by day and contributing in some way to the growth of His Kingdom. 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (MSG) "This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we've learned:"
When we let wealth or comfort whisper, “You don’t need God,” we risk silencing His voice and stalling the very work He wants to complete. Satan loves nothing more than to lure us into complacency, distracting us with pleasures that numb us to God’s call.
When that happens, life may look “full” on the outside but feel empty on the inside. Yet God’s invitation is always the same: “Walk with Me. Trust Me. Let Me finish what I began in you.”
Abraham’s story illustrates this so well. God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars. Yet decades passed without a child. Abraham stumbled, took shortcuts, and even laughed at the idea that God could still come through. But God never wavered. At the appointed time, Isaac was born, and the promise stood firm.
Abraham’s life proves this truth: even when our faith falters, God’s faithfulness does not. The work God begins, He intends to finish.
Maybe today you feel like your progress is slow. Perhaps you’ve stumbled along the way, or maybe abundance has left you complacent. But here is the hope Paul reminds us of in Philippians: God Himself is committed to carrying the good work in you to completion.
You are not left to figure it out on your own. The same God who spoke creation into being has spoken life into you. He began the good work. He leads the good work. And He will complete the good work—until the day you stand before Christ Jesus, perfected and whole.
So take heart. Every step of faith matters. Every prayer, every act of trust, every choice to depend on Him rather than yourself is a brushstroke in the masterpiece He is completing in you. The Author of your story is also the Finisher. And He never abandons what He starts.
Reflection Prayer
Lord, thank You that the work You began in me is not dependent on my strength but on Your faithfulness. Teach me to lean on You daily—whether in times of lack or abundance—and to trust You with each step until the day You bring it to completion. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Psalm 138:8 — “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.”
