MIF 12:2 (May-Apr 1980)
Christian Confidence
“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me” (Psa. 138:8). Is the body weak? It will not remain weak; it will be strong. Are we ignorant? We shall not remain in ignorance, but we shall know fully as we are known. Are we tired and afflicted? All will be over at last; every tear will be wiped away from our eyes. Are we tempted? All will come to an end; we shall be delivered out of the power of the wicked one. “He who hath begun a good work will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ”; and therefore as to the body, as to the mind, as to the Spirit, as to outward circumstances, as to trials and afflictions, all, all will come to an end, and we shall have to bless and praise God for all His dealings with us here in this vale of tears. And what we have to do is to look forward to that day when with regard to everything concerning us will be found perfection.
And how comes all this? We deserve the contrary, but the reason is just this; “Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever.” In the way of grace He has begun to deal with us, in the way of grace He will continue to deal with us, and in the way of grace He deals with us continually.
Now, on account of this, we have not to be careless and indifferent, so far as it regards ourselves, but just because everything will be perfected regarding us, on the ground of the mercy of the Lord enduring forever, therefore it becomes us to pray, “Forsake not the works of thine Own hands.” And here we see that real, true trust in God is invariably coupled with prayer, and wherever the profession of trust in God is not coupled with prayer, it is nothing but presumption. We believe that God will be graciously pleased to act on the ground of His Word, and to fulfil to us the promises made to us His children. Ask in faith, nothing wavering.” “He giveth more grace” (James 4:6).
—George Muller