“For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:17

It is very easy to get discouraged about life in general and our service for God in particular. God does not ask us to do easy things. When we come to Him, we give Him everything, and we follow his purposes for our life until he brings us to heaven. We can find discouragement everywhere, and often the attitude of other people can make us weary, doubting and weak. We are comforted to know that God’s will always prevails. He will not allow us to finally fail, or let discouragement take a hold.

The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5

No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Our first point of help, is to bring it all to God. We can trust in Him and be sure of His love for us. But we will find ourselves doubting ourselves and wondering if God is really with us. Human help can be thin on the ground, and there may well be lack of any kind of support from the people around us in our lives. This can lead to further uncertainty and often it can be hard to go on.

This verse assures us of the purposes of God and good desires for God are given to the committed believer by God. The fact that you have the desire to serve God and make sacrifices for His sake, is a selfless desire, and in keeping with God’s purposes. As we desire to serve Him, He also gives us the resources, energy and everything we need to do the task He has given us to do.

As we work for God, and desire His ways of working, He will be glorified and He will be well pleased with our sacrifice. No one else might see it, or even acknowledge it, but He will reveal Himself to the faithful believer and the work they have done will produce good fruit.

The verse before, verse 16, calls us to…

“work our our salvation with fear and trembling”

We are called to follow God where ever He goes and where ever He leads. We are responsible for our walk with God and to keep a close relationship with Him. We must prove that we follow Him, and the times we are not able to serve as we would like, we will trust in the precious promises and wait for His time.

God will give us the desire to do whatever He wants us to do and his name will be glorified in us. This is true rest in God. His good pleasure is worked out in everything, and He will help us to pray rightly and be willing to obey His will, whatever it may be.

We don’t need to fret or get down about anything – His grace conquers all our fears.

For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times .. 2 Timothy 1:17