"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Dr. David Jeremiah recounts the following:
"In 1896, an American track and field athlete named James Connolly ascended the victor’s podium at the first modern Olympic games. He was the first Olympic champion in 1,400 years. Connolly embodied the Olympic motto, 'Faster, Higher, Stronger.' That’s a good slogan for the Christian life too."
Jeremiah goes on to tell of all the things Connolly sacrificed to reach his goal of becoming an Olympian: "a Harvard education, all his savings, and loads of stress and strain. As Paul wrote in Philippians 3, 'What things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ' (verse 7)."
Connolly's eyes were on the reward of an earthly medal. The Apostle Paul's eyes were on the eternal reward of "the crown of righteousness." Erwin W. Lutzer has said, “We do not desire rewards for the reward itself, but because rewards are a reflection of Christ’s approval of us.”
We are living in difficult days, but now is not the time to shrink back in fear and despondency. Now is not the time to give up. We must resolve to follow Christ no matter the cost. To run the race He has set before us with diligence. He is with us, and He has overcome all obstacles. Our job is to trust Him and call upon Him in prayer. Live our lives as a testimony to Him. Leading others to Him through our witness. Finishing the race He has set before us and never forgetting that one day (perhaps sooner than we can imagine) we will stand before our Lord and Savior and hear Him say the words we long to receive, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Today's music video A Crown of Righteousness sung by Alessandra Sorrace is pure scripture put to music. I highly recommend you take time to watch this exquisitely filmed video and listen to the beautiful music. I know this Christ-honoring song will bless and encourage you.
I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.
It is definitely good to remember to not put our faith in anything but the Lord. I think it's likely that persecution is headed our way, and we will need, as always, to rely fully on Him.
ReplyDeleteWe do need to remember to Run the Race with dilegence. My hope is in the Lord and not in this world.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Thank you so much for this post, Nancy...every word is so true! We must lift each other up as we face the obstacles ahead and keep our eyes on Jesus!
ReplyDeleteI was reflecting on how I need to persevere in my Bible studies this year. Keep my eyes on the first things.
ReplyDelete