God's work

My work or His work…

When I heard in September that the lung cancer had spread and could not be cured, I got the feeling that my life was not yet 'finished'. There was still so much to do and especially things that I believe I am doing 'for the Lord'. Like this site, which still lacks quite a bit or needs to be changed or improved. But also other things; all in all, more than enough to think that "my work for the Lord" (however insignificant and small as it may be) was not yet finished. But maybe this way of thinking is a bit haughty…

In the meantime I have discovered that it is the other way around: God's work on me is not yet finished. It is probable that God Himself has yet to work on my soul and that He uses the circumstances of life to do so; especially circumstances you might call 'life-threatening'. That realization dawned on us last time we read Psalm 57.

I cry to God Most High,
to God, The His work will complete to me.
(Psalm 57:3)

This text is translated somewhat differently in the different translations, which is why the words 'His work' are in italics because they were added by the translators. Still, it doesn't seem like a bad addition to me because something like that occurs in Psalm 138:8 and in it next to the addition 'His work' makes sense if you look later in the text.

The Lord will His work complete for me;
Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, endureth for ever;
do not let go of the works of your hands.
(Psalm 138:8)

Do not destroy

In Psalm 57, David describes fleeing from Saul in the cave. He was being chased and his life was not certain. He begged for God's mercy, and his soul took refuge in God, under the shadow of His wings. Even the melody was apparently a plea, "Do not destroy," expressing that David was aware that He would be lost without God's protection.

But he knew it wasn't just his enemies at work. He was also aware that the Lord God was doing His work on his soul.

It is precisely not the intention of the Lord that He should destroy us. Rather, He uses the difficult circumstances to our advantage and ultimately His glory.

Your honor

Twice in Psalm 57 there is a chorus that reads “Rise above the heavens, O God; Thy glory be upon all the earth“ (verses 6 and 12). That this is emphasized is not for nothing, because that is the lesson that David learned. That God's work for and on him ultimately intends to be here on earth to the glory of God,
David desires that in his life-threatening circumstances God will show that He is indeed the Most High (verse 3), exalted above the heavens (verses 6 and 12) and that all the earth will see how great His glory is (verses 3 and 12 ).
In fact, that is also what the Lord Jesus says to Martha when Lazarus has died: “Did I not tell you that if you believe, the glory of God will see?” (John 11:40). The death of Lazarus and then the work of the Lord upon him would be to the glory of God!

God's hands

Psalm 19:2 says:Heaven declares God's glory, the vault proclaims the work of His handsand we can understand that when we look at the starry sky at night. How great and glorious must be that God who made all this, how exalted above heaven (Psalm 57:6a, 12a)!

We see what His hands have made and that tells us—and anyone who will hear—of the glory of God Most High.

But how wonderful it is that that same hand of God in our suffering does His work and works out something for His glory! It is the same hand that made heaven that shapes our suffering here today, so that the glory of God can be seen.
How God's glory becomes visible in my suffering? I can't say anything about that, I simply don't know and leave it to the Lord. It's the promise of His Word, so we trust that.

God's hand has made the vault of heaven,
and the same hand works on me in today's suffering.
In both God's glory becomes visible.

About the Lord Jesus

When you think about the above things, you almost automatically arrive at the Lord Jesus. He is the eternal Son of God, the Creator of all things. But He became man to suffer and die for sinners here on this earth on Calvary's cross.

But how did Christ's suffering not show God's glory! That is God's order: first suffering and then glory. Or as Peter puts it: “(…) that the Spirit of Christ testified of the sufferings that were to come upon Christ, and also of the glory afterward.” (1 Peter 1:11)

It is noteworthy that the same chapter of the first letter to Peter also speaks of our own suffering. Peter says that we can be saddened by all kinds of trials for a little while. In doing so, he conveniently lumps together all the difficult things, all kinds of suffering, that happen to us, and he does so because they are all things that test our faith. But those tests of faith are so precious (to God) that they will be to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

“(…) even though you are now being taken for a short time
– if necessary – grieved by all kinds of temptations,
that the trials of your faith . . .
may prove to be praise and honor and glory,
at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
(1 Peter 1:6,7)

How wonderful it is to know that our suffering as children of God is ultimately for the glory of God. When Christ is revealed, it will be seen what our suffering has finally 'produced'. To the glory and praise of Him, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.