Endurance

Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus,

 the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. 

Hebrews 12:1-2

Recently, I heard a story about a blind man who wanted to run the Boston Marathon.  With his helper, he started out on the 26 mile race.  Halfway through, he became terribly exhausted.  He staggered along, sometimes walking, sometimes stopping to rest, sometimes jogging a little.  When he got to the 25th mile his helper said, "This is the last mile.  You have to go in running."  The blind man reached deep down and found what strength he had and ran that last mile with all his might to the loud cheers of the crowd. Not realizing he had reached the finish line, he continued on until someone caught him and said "It's over! You've finished the race!" He collapsed to the ground.  He had given it his all.  Somehow he had found the strength to finish his race. 

We are all in a race just like that blind man. Sometimes, along our path we lose momentum, we stumble and fall or take a detour.  The race just seems too hard for us, too big, too long.  We get bogged down. Sometimes all we can do is put one foot in front of the other, sometimes just crawl.  

Then we hear the word, "Run with endurance the race God has set before you."  Where are we going to find the strength?  We must remember, we are not alone. We have our helper called alongside holding us up and showing us the way. We have the crowd to cheer us on and as we look toward the finish line we see the champion, who has gone before, waiting to welcome us.

Jesus has already run the race.  Along the way he endured the same trials and temptations that we face. He was tempted to quit.  He endured great grief and depression there in the garden. He endured tiredness and opposition.  And, he endured the cross. Through it all, he came through with flying colors and triumphant joy and is now seated in the place of honor. 

What is the word of encouragement to us?  Don't become weary and give up.  Look to your champion who blazed the trail and made the way.  He is the way.  He is the road we take on our long race.  And he is there cheering us on along the sideline and running along with us and greeting us at the finish line.  He is our champion.

                            Because of the joy awaiting him,
                                    he endured the cross,
                                   disregarding its shame. 
                       Now he is seated in the place of honor
                                     beside God’s throne.
                                         Hebrews 12:2

Strength

 Your roots will grow down into God’s love

 and keep you strong. 

Eph 3:17 

Foundation is everything.  No matter how beautiful a house may be, if it is built on a shaky foundation it will collapse. If a tree grows in shallow soil, when flood waters rise, it will be washed away.

We have only one foundation that stands firm through every earthquake and flood and that is the love of God.  That love never fails. When we allow our roots to go down deeply into that foundation, we will be kept strong. Nothing can shake us or wash us away.

Help us, Lord, to feel our feet planted on that solid rock.  Help us to envision our roots growing down deep into your love where we will not be shaken.

Let your roots grow down into him,

 and let your lives be built on him. 

Then your faith will grow strong.

 Col 2.7

One Thing Remains

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains...

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me.

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me.

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me.

On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains...

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me.

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me.

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me.

In death, in life, I’m confident and
covered by the power of Your great love.
My debt is paid, there’s nothing that can
separate my heart from Your great love...

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me.

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me.

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me.

Click here to listen to the song:  One Thing Remains

Hope and Faith

True hope is faith in action

 and the constancy of faith in all contradictory circumstances.

 Praying Through the Tough Times, Lloyd Ogilvie.

Hope is trusting in God, having faith and holding onto his word and promises no matter how things look in the outward appearance. Sometimes hope is hard to come by.  We may feel so discouraged and weighed down by the the problems of life that we cannot even lift our head. 

David describes that feeling so often in the Psalms.

                                     I am dying from grief;

my years are shortened by sadness.

Misery has drained my strength; 

I am wasting away from within.

 Ps. 31:10

And yet, he always seemed to find a way to encourage himself.

But I am trusting you, O LORD,

saying, "You are my God!"

My future is in your hands. 

Ps. 31:14

No matter how low we may feel, we can still say, "I trust in you, Lord.  My life is in your hands." 

Lord, we sometimes feel so impoverished with no hope or faith of our own. When we feel that low, so drained and discouraged, grant us your inspiration and your gifts of faith and hope. We put our trust in you.  We know that you are in charge and are working everything out for our good. 

So be strong and take courage

 all you who put your hope in the LORD!

Ps. 31.24