God has me reading the book of Philippians each day to the end of this month. He really has me meditating on 1:18-2:8. Then today, 2:12-13 stands out.

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

All going on in my life right now coming to heart as I read it, God inspires me to consider whether I truly believe verse 13 to be true in the midst of all these trials and the struggle they bring to a life of faith.

“…for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

Do I truly believe this? Then, in whatever circumstance I am in, rejoice, trust the Lord, and do the good that is before me.

Here am I, O God.

I have been thinking about the song that says, “You (person) see broken; I (God) see mended.” (Mended, by Matthew West – https://youtu.be/JdIW0El0VBU) It is a very encouraging song, full of truth that strengthens the weary soul.

The song artist speaks of us “becoming new creations,” which is true if we fail to realize and walk in the fact that, in Christ, we ARE ALREADY a new creation, even now. If God has placed His Holy Spirit in us, like filling wine skins, we must be new skins made ready to receive Him.

God sees “new”; and so must we, if we are to be fitting skins for His Holy Presence within. As we put off the old by realizing we are in Christ, we become the new God already sees by the blood of the Lamb.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.