There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. Philippians 1:6 (MSG)
To everything there’s a start and finish. Every purpose, plan and pursuit has a starting point and a finishing point. Life itself starts somewhere and comes to a certain finish at some place. But not every start is a good one and unfortunately not every finish is satisfactory.
But there’s a guaranteed fail proof good finish. It is the God finish.
Whatever God starts He doesn’t just finish but finishes marvelously well. The Scripture has revealed that the great work that God starts He brings to a flourishing finish.
If you want to finish well involve and partner with Him who always starts well, continues well, and finishes well.
Psalms 127:1 (NIV) Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
Unless the Lord is in what you start, it is all in vain and even the finish will be a disaster.
Therefore start everything you do with and in God and you will always finish gloriously.
With God means God approves and therefore supports what you’re doing.
In God means God inspired you and is leading you in what you’re doing.
Start your day with and in God and you will wind up fruitful and fulfilled at the end. Start that relationship, training, ministry, work, project, business with and in God.
Talk to the Lord about every plan and pursuit of your life and watch out for His gentle but firm cues of inner peace and stirrings in your heart as He guides and counsels you.
Listen to and learn from those who have blazed the trail – those who have gone ahead of you and finished well.
Hebrews 6:12 (NIV) We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.
In order to help Mary see and agree with God concerning her conceiving and giving birth to Jesus without a man but rather by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Angel Gabriel told her that; Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. Luke 1:36 (NIV)
After receiving the Word from Angel Gabriel that she would have a child supernaturally, Mary went to Elizabeth who was now already pregnant in her old age by a supernatural intervention from God. Luke 1:39-45
If you want to finish well keep company with those who share, believe in and support your expectations and experience.
Lastly in order to finish well keep the faith. The same way you started by faith or trust in God continue therein to the end and you’ll finish well
2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
In this Scripture Paul is not referring to three separate things he has done but rather one.
Paul is saying that the way he has fought the good fight, the way he has finished the race is by keeping the faith.
We fight the good fight and finish the race set before us by doing the one thing – keeping the faith.
Our life and walk and with God starts by faith and is brought to a flourishing finish by faith. Romans 1:17 (NLT) This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”
Whatever you start, do so by faith or trusting in the Lord. Rely on His wisdom and strength as you stand on His Word.