Hebrews 13:20-21, “Now may the God of peace – who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood – may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.”
How do you become equipped to handle the many challenges in your life? Where do you go for answers? God declares in Isaiah 55:3, “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” God supplies divine provision for our needs, “equipping” us through His Word which teaches us what is wrong in our lives, correcting us, and instructing us to do what is right. As 2 Tim. 3:17 declares, “God uses it to prepare and equip the people to do every good work.”
Prayer is the second tool God uses to equip us. God greatly used the prayers for me by my mother, that helped mature and stimulated me to grow in Christ (1 Thess. 3:10). Is there someone you are praying for? Keep on keeping on as your prayers God hears and will use. Next, fellowship within the local church is also a tool God uses to equip us, as Ephe. 4:11-12 teaches where believers are cared for spiritually. The Holy Spirit has given each Christian spiritual gifts for building up the local body of Christ.
The third tool God uses to equip us is in trials. Our sufferings He uses to perfect us. “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” 1 Peter 5:10. Every trial will have an end. Yes, the pain may be intense, but cling to the promises of God such as this verse declares.
“What a difference it would make in our lives if we would turn Hebrews 13:20-21 into a personal prayer each day. “Lord, make me perfect in every good work to do thy will. Work in me that which is well-pleasing in thy sight. Do it through Jesus Christ and may he receive the glory.” Be Confident. Live By Faith, Not By Sight. Hebrews. Warren W. Wiersbe, page 181.
Remember, each day, God is working to make you into the person He wants you to be, the kind of person that pleases Him, so you can serve Him and be of benefit and help to others you encounter, being fully equipped with the needed tools to go in the right direction, even if you feel you are limping along. Jesus shed His blood (eternal covenant) for you on the cross providing complete forgiveness for your sin and complete victory over the Enemy if you are a genuine Christian. Ask the LORD to quiet your heart. Seek contentment in every situation. Have a humble heart. Hope in the LORD now and always (Ps. 131). No, you are not perfect, no one is. Keep moving in the direction of being more Christ-like as God works within you (2 Thess. 1:11). Now may the God of peace produce in you the changes He desires so you can be fully equipped to better serve Him and others for God’s glory.
Listen to TrueSong, All Things.