Good & Finished

I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6

The Earth was dark.
Empty. 
Silent.
Hollow. 

God peeked His eye through nothing. 
Spoke. 
Made. 
Humans. 
Very good. 

Good, in English, can often mean pleasant, positive, sufficient, average…

Good, in Hebrew, is tov. Tov means so much, but my favorite way it’s been encapsulated is, “something which fulfills the purpose for which it was created.” something which fulfills the purpose for which it was created.

The first time we hear tov in the creation story is when God makes vegetation in Genesis 1:11–12. 

…plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.’ And it was so.

God didn’t make plants and trees so that He would have to keep making plants and trees. He made them so that they could produce more—He made them to fulfill a purpose. 

Tov. 

The last time we hear tov in this narrative is after humans are created, but we move from tov to tov me’od (very good!). 

Excellent, or fulfilling its purpose perfectly.

However, we know only one man was perfect. 

The Earth was dark. 
Full. 
Groaning.
Dense. 

God’s eyes were closed, almost turned away. 
Waiting.
Clenching. 
Forsaking. 

Jesus is toiling, aching for something. 
Forgiving. 
It’s Finished. 

Purpose fulfilled, perfectly. 

Tetelestai. 

No more seeds that may or may not produce trees. No more trees that may or may not produce fruit. No more need to look for chances. No more sacrifices that might not be accepted. 

One perfect completion. 

Done. 

Good Friday. 
Tov Friday. 
Tov Tetelestai.
A good finish. 

From a prison cell, Paul writes to the church in Philippi. They were in a hostile political climate, their area had cult influences that impacted false teaching, and the church faced internal friction. 

That doesn’t sound familiar at all.

Paul says to this church, I am certain…
That God, our God 
Who made you with TOV in mind in the beginning 
Will absolutely, without a doubt, TETELESTAI you 
In the end. 

This means, He will use you for His purpose until you’re all used up. Jesus’ done will cover you until God is done with you. 

Worry not. He does not begin anything He hasn’t planned from the start to finish. It starts good, gets very good, and gets finished. 

Every time, and especially when it looks dark, it ends with you in His hands.