Seize the Moment – Day 951
Finish the Marathon of Life with Faith!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, October 24.
The life of faith is like training for a marathon – a long slow obedience in the same direction. In 2021, I was in great shape and training to complete my first marathon. I ran a few minis, including a trail mini in 2020. I was loving it, until I got hurt!
Asa’s kingship had been defined by peace and rest because He sought after the Lord, but at the end he would not seek the Lord nor respond to the Word of God. In 2 Chronicles 16:7-9, God sent Hanani the seer to Asa to call him back after a bad decision:
Because you have relied on the king of Aram and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Aram has escaped out of your hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim an immense army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.
Instead of getting back in the race with God, he threw the prophet into jail and oppressed his people (10; cf. Proverbs 9:6-10). What happened to this great king? His life ended in misery as he refused to humble himself and repent. Don’t be like this! Remain humble before the Lord until you take your last breath and cross the finish line of your marathon – God desires to “strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2 Chronicles 16:9).
Seize the moment and finish the race with faith – “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1; cf. 1 Corinthians 9:24; Galatians 2:2, 6:9).
God bless you!
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.