“It is the message of my life that our mighty God will work through our difficult struggles in order to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ”

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God's Workmanship

By Anita Kelly Couch

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" Ephesians 2: 10.

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed by your hardships and difficulties that you felt there was no way that God could fulfill His promise to you as His child and work your trying circumstances together for good? (Romans 8: 28, 29) Unfortunately, I must admit that I have. These times of doubt usually occur when I resort to my own reasoning or understanding. (Proverbs 3: 5) Instead of placing my absolute trust in the Lord's character and in the power of His Word, I believe the enemy's press: God is not good and He has forgotten me. Oh Lord, help my unbelief! That is absolutely not true! Oh how it must grieve His heart, when He has written these precious words of promise:

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41: 10)

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched." (Isaiah 43: 2)

"...surely I will be with you even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

What are you enduring today that you need to be reassured of these incredible promises? Death of a precious loved one? Loneliness or the pain of rejection? Mental turmoil? Depression? Anxiety?

Oh Beloved, right now confess your lack of trust to your Father. Allow His "living and powerful" Word to strengthen your heart today. Look in Ephesians 1. There Paul has just assured us:

verse 3: you are blessed with every spiritual blessing. You have received a glorious inheritance. (verse 11)

verse 4: you were chosen before the foundation of the world.

verse 5: you have been adopted through Jesus Christ to God.

verse 6: you are the object of "God's glorious grace." (undeserved favor) you have been accepted in the Beloved.

verse 7: you are redeemed through His blood. You are forgiven of all your trespasses.

verse 8: you have been lavished in the grace of God!

verse 9: God has made known to you "the mystery of His will".

Then, Paul writes in verse 10: " you are God's workmanship." The Greek word used here for "workmanship"is poema. What English word do you see here? That's correct! You see "poem". This word is also translated "masterpiece". You are God's masterpiece, God's magnificent work of art. All of your life is a poem or a beautiful portrait, skillfully crafted by your Creator God!

Perhaps there are colors splashed on the canvas of your life that, from your perspective, do not seem to belong. The particular "colors" of your trials do not seem to harmonize with the rest of the picture. The poem of your life does not seem to rhyme. Yet today, even in these times of weakness, we can find courage in knowing that "God's ways are not always our ways", that "His ways are higher than the heavens are from the earth (Isaiah 55: 8, 9).

"God began a good work in you and He will be faithful to be complete it" (Philippians 1:6). He will be faithful to complete His beautiful masterpiece in you and you will be a breathtaking reflection of His glory and grace. Will you trust His handiwork? To take Him at His Word-that's a choice only you can make.