He Isn't Finished Yet!

Streams in the Desert—April 17^th

^{“In one of George MacDonald’s books, one of the characters makes this bitter statement: “I wonder why God made me.  I certainly don’t see any purpose in it!”  Another of the characters responds, “Perhaps you don’t see any purpose yet, but then, He isn’t finished making you.  And besides, you are arguing with the process.”}

“If people would only believe they are still in the process of creation…allowing Him to handle them…and yield themselves…to the turning of His wheel, they would soon find themselves able to welcome every pressure from His hand on them, even if it results in pain.”    Jeremiah 18:4 

And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.

I’ve asked this question before---have you?  Well, be encouraged not to ever ask of your God and Creator this question again.  There are two statements that follow this question that are rich in truth, backed by Scripture.

1)  "…He isn’t finished making you.”

2)  ‘If people would only believe they are still in the process of creation…’

God isn’t finished with us (Phil 1:6)

We are still in the process of creation (1 Peter 2:5)

Creation doesn’t stop with our physical bodies, God has a far greater purpose in mind for us…His ways are higher than our ways. (Is 55:8-9)

2 Cor 3:18 But we all…are being transformed…from glory to glory…

The process of creation, in the lives of believers, is on going.

…you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house. 1 Peter 2:5

I like what Jon Courson comments on this verse, he writes, “That we are living stones who are being built up, or fit together, as a spiritual house brings to mind a most interesting Scripture.

And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made before it was brought tither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.  1 Kings 6:7

We’re living stones being fit together for an eternal temple in heaven.  This life is the quarry, which explains why we always feel like we’re being chipped and chiseled.

…God puts us in fixes to fix us, He puts us with people and in situations He knows will shape us most effectively.  So if I try to fix the fix God put me in, He will be faithful to put me in another fix to fix the fix He wanted to fix in the first place.” Jon Courson

As an onion has many layers our hearts have many layers as well.  God wants to go deep into those layers to purify us.  This is the part of the creation process that can hurt and bring sorrow, tears and great grief as the Lord exposes unholiness in our hearts to cleanse, sanctify and set us apart for His purposes.  This work is necessary for the Workman, our Creator, to complete the work He started in us. (Phil 1:6)

One day we will leave this quarry to be placed, a stone shaped to perfection, in an eternal temple.

…you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house…(emphasis mine)

One more thought—God already knows what we are made of; He knows our flaws.

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb    Ps 139:13

“…then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men)  1 Kings 8:39 (emphasis mine)

When God looks upon His creation, yes He sees our flaws, but He doesn’t criticize or baulk with disgust, rather He would say to you and to me, “I can fix that, if you will let Me help you.”

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Heb 4:16

And let’s pray…

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.     Ps 139:23-24

Then wait and watch and as the Lord places His hand on those areas that need healing, don’t squirm away, don’t try to remove yourself from His wheel, rather, stay put under the pressure of His hand and …let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:4)

Staying put,

CC