EquipU Online Library

“As for God, his way is perfect. . . . It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect” (Psalm 18:30, 32).

When a translation of the Bible uses the word “perfect,” it is not exactly talking about the kind of “perfect” we would normally think of first. In our time, we use the word “perfect” to describe something that has no flaws, no mistakes, no shortcomings, no limits, no sin. But what does “perfect” mean when we see it in the Bible?

When the Bible talks about perfection, it is talking about the absolute completion, or carrying-out, or accomplishment of something. Basically, it means “totally righteous,” “totally whole,” “totally the way things should be.” Have you ever heard someone mention “a perfect circle”? They do not mean “perfect” in the sense that the circle is sinless or never makes mistakes! Of course a circle cannot be “perfect” that way. They mean “perfect” in the sense that a perfect circle would not have wavy lines or gaps. A perfect circle comes all the way around to form a whole, rather than just a part of a circle.

That kind of “perfect” is what King David was singing about in Psalm 18. He was praising God for doing such a full, wonderful job of what David (with all his weaknesses and shortcomings) could never have done on his own. If David had tried to leap over a wall or escape from enemy troops all by himself, he could not have done it. He would have fallen short. But God is the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the Earth. God is perfect, in every sense of the word “perfect.” He never gets weary. He never loses things. He never sins. He has no flaws. And what He chooses to do, He does the best way possible. He brings it to completion. He accomplishes whatever He sets out to do.

King David was rejoicing that God, Whose way of doing things is all perfection, is also a God Who can and will help those who call upon Him. He can and will help us overcome our weaknesses and limits and mistakes. He can and will give us strength to do what it takes to finish a job we have to do. He can and will give us strength to say no to temptations. God can and will help us believe wholly in Him, even when our faith is small. No wonder David was so full of praise! He had a perfect God Who was making him whole.

God is totally perfect in every sense of the word, and He can and will help those who call on Him.

My response:

» Do I rely on myself and my strength rather than asking for God’s help?

» When I am frustrated with my limitations, do I rejoice that God does not have any?

“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee” (Deuteronomy 33:27).

What is the largest number you know? A googol (“the figure 1 followed by 100 zeros”)? A googolplex (“a 1 followed by a googol of zeros”)? That is a big number. Bigger than my imagination. Yet no matter what number we come up with, there is always a larger number. Just add one to your large number, and you have a larger number. The same is true if you go the other direction: keep subtracting one, and there is no stopping the negative numbers either. Our number system seems to have no ending point on either end of the number line. That must be why we use arrows on the line.

God, too, has arrows on all ends of Who He is. He has no beginning and no ending. God is eternal. Because He is eternal, His love is eternal. His forgiveness is eternal. His promises are eternal. His mercy is eternal. That is mind blowing! There is no end to the love, mercy, forgiveness, and promises of God. There is no end to any of His attributes.

There is no end to Who God is.

My response:

» Have I made God out to be smaller than He really is?

» Do I think God cannot forgive me or love me?

» Will I talk to God, knowing that He is far bigger than I can ever imagine?

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (John 11:25–26).

The twins’ babysitter, Kathryn, asked the boys what they wanted to do.

“We like you reading to us best,” said Samuel.

“Fine, go get your books, and I’ll take our drinks outside. Okay, guys?” Kathryn told them.

Antony held up a book, “Let’s read this one; it’s our top favorite.”

Kathryn smiled as she saw that the book was the Easter story from Mark, chapters 15 and 16. “Here we go, then,” she said and began reading.

***

When the story was over, Kathryn closed the book.

“He died,” yelled Antony excitedly.

“He went away, but came back again, alive. Jesus is alive!” Samuel shouted. “Clever Jesus. That’s why this book is our top favorite!”

Samuel and Antony are right to be excited. Jesus rose from the dead, which is called His resurrection. Through Jesus’ resurrection, we see the proof of His divine power, because He rose from death by His own power. He conquered death itself, the grave, and all the powers of humanity. Through Jesus’ resurrection we see the proof of His being the Son of God with all power and the ruler of the universe.

Through Jesus’ resurrection, we who have believed on Jesus as our Savior have the promise of our own resurrection when we die. Those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ can live in His victory over death, and have eternal life.

Jesus died on the cross. He was laid in a tomb. On the third day, He rose again.

My response:

» How do I feel about the Lord Jesus actually dying on the cross, then becoming alive again?

» Is the Easter story about Jesus one of my favorites?

» Do I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:25–26).

She told lies about you. Half-truths were scattered all over school. He beat you at the contest unfairly. She is the one who started this fight. It is so unfair.

People are going to disappoint you. People are going to be unkind. Life is not fair. You cannot control how others respond and react. What you can control is how you react and respond. Knowing that God has forgiven you should motivate you to forgive others.

From what have you been forgiven? Lying? Unkind words? Rebellious attitudes? Wrong thoughts? If you are a child of God, He has completely forgiven you. Wow, this is huge! When we think about our daily sins against a Holy God, it is mind blowing.

God forgives. He doesn’t have to forgive, but He does because He loves us so much.

My response:

» When someone is unkind, says something not true, or is just plain mean, will I forgive him?

» Will I forgive even if that person never asks for forgiveness?