Through The Bible in a Year - October 21, 2026

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” - Philippians 1:6

Paul writes with confidence from a prison cell. Though he is uncertain when — or whether — he would ever be released from prison. He is confident that God will work in his people to complete the purposes that will advance the kingdom of Christ. Paul was not offering a vague hope when he spoke of God’s work continuing to completion; the apostle was stating a settled certainty rooted not in his own circumstances but in God's character. The God who started his work in the Philippians' hearts for the sake of the spread of the gospel was not finished, and would not abandon his purposes before they were complete.

The word Paul uses for “completion” carries the sense not only of finishing something off, but of filling it up. God is not merely bringing individual believers to the end of their own story. He is filling up and filling out His church, adding believer after believer, generation after generation, gift after gift, until his mission on earth is complete. God is fulfilling this mission through the church. Consider how this worked even through the church Paul is addressing at Philippi. The first-century house church in an obscure Greek town could not have imagined that its story would still be read, and still be multiplying disciples, centuries later. But even as you consider this devotion, that is happening.

Confidence in God’s completion of his mission matters most in hard seasons — for persecuted believers meeting in secret, for churches wrestling with tight budgets, for individuals wondering whether their own faith will hold. God’s promise is not that the road will be easy, but that the One who began the work is committed to finishing — and filling — it as He knows is best.

RESPOND: Where in your life do you need to trust that God is still completing a work He began, even though it feels unfinished or fragile right now?

Consider your own church or ministry involvement: are you thinking that “finishing” your task solely depends upon your effort or resources? If so, you will constantly be anxious about your future. But if you believe that you are part of God’s mission to fill up and fill out His church through many different people and places where the gospel is needed, then you can face worldly challenges and failures without ever doubting your usefulness to Christ’s cause. God will complete what you cannot.

Consider one area of your life, your family, or your church that feels incomplete right now and ask God to give you renewed confidence that He will finish His mission for your life as He knows is best for Christ’s glory.

PRAYER: Father, thank You that the good work You began in me is not left to my own strength to finish. I am sure of this: You who started the work will complete it as you know is best, filling up and filling out the whole church in the ways that will best serve the glory of your Son. Give me patience and confidence for the unfinished places in my life and the lives of those I love, as you bring to completion Christ’s kingdom as you know is best. In Jesus' name, amen.