Finish Well

FINISH WELL

By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly

Marathons can be brutal.  I once watched as an exhausted runner collapsed mere yards from the finish line.  My heart sank.  Few things are as heartbreaking as working hard, but not finishing.

It is tempting to want to give up when we are exhausted, and when as far as the eye can see, there is only a long, lonely road in the desert.  Waning strength asks discouraging questions.  Why did we begin on this course?  Why not just give up?  Who would know?

Is this you today, Beloved?

Jesus was similarly tempted in the desert (Matt 4:1-11).  At the beginning of His ministry He spent 40 days fasting, with the tempting whispers of the devil as His only companion.

The devil offered relief from His suffering for the price of disobedience to the Father.  Where would we be had Jesus succumbed to temptation?  We would be sheep without a shepherd and hopelessly lost without a Savior.

Jesus battled temptation with the Word of God.  And when the temptation passed, angels refreshed Him.  He exited the desert empowered for miracles, with strength to sustain Him through the cross and resurrection—until He was seated at the right hand of the Father.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” – Hebrews‬ ‭12:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

You are not alone, beloved.  Even now, there is a great cloud of witnesses that cheer you on to keep going and receive the prize.  This season of temptation will pass and refreshment will come.  You, too, will be empowered for greater things, if you just don’t give up.

Father, cause the Word that we have hidden in our hearts to rise up and preach to our souls. Encourage and refresh us, that we may endure.  May we exit the desert to be used powerfully for Your glory.  Lord, remind us why we began and strengthen us to finish well.  In Jesus’ Name ❤️

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