How is this desire of the Lord to be accomplished? It is to be done by the work of our faithful God, who promises to do such. “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” What is the Lord’s means in advancing this process? It is His word. Jesus revealed this in His prayer for us as He approached the cross. “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John17:17).

Our Lord wants to unleash in our lives the power of His word, changing the way we think and act. He wants to use His word to set our lives apart for Himself. The Apostle Paul wrote of this powerful spiritual process in referring to Jesus’ intentions for His church: “that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:26).

Will we humbly and dependently cooperate with our Lord in this desire of His heart for us?

Excerpt from “Day by Day Grace” devotional by Bob Hoekstra