December 16

Read: Hebrews 13:20-21

May God… perfectly fit you to do His will… accomplishing through you what is pleasing to Him (Hebrews 13:20-21, Williams).

Perfectly Fitted To Do God’s Will

The Book of Hebrews is often called the better book. The author speaks of a “better hope,” a “better covenant,” “better promises,” and a “better resurrection.” But even in this book of “betters,” the writer today points us to the best, His prayer is, “Now the God of peace… make you perfect.” There is nothing in spiritual gifts or growth that is better than that.

What is this perfection? It is simply that God’s people may do God’s will in every good work. We are sure that if our lives are to be pleasing to God our hearts must be cleansed from sin, for nothing sinful is ever “well pleasing in his sight.”

How is God to accomplish in us this high level of holy character and life? We do well to remember that it is God who is at work in us; we do not achieve any holiness by our own unaided efforts. It is God who makes it possible-and all of His resources are available to us for this purpose. The “blood of the everlasting covenant” is available to cleanse the heart from every stain.

The power “that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus” is adequate to make our lives satisfying to God. “Through Jesus Christ” we can be entirely “well pleasing in his sight.”

Holiness is high country, but by the grace of God it is not unattainable. There is in that high country the lure of a spiritual challenge. There is here the exhilaration of setting out for — and of reaching — a God-given goal.

I rise to walk in heav’n’s own light, Above the world and sin; With heart made pure and garments white, And Christ enthroned within.

— Phoebe Palmer