Finish Strong

King Asa of Judah did run well. He started off with a bang! He tore down the pagan alters and destroyed the false images of worship, he built fortified cities for the people of God, he cried out to the Lord when facing a 1,000,000 man army from Ethiopia. He saw God deliver his people and used the proceeds from the war with Ethiopia to fortify and provide for the kingdom. Asa was running a great race!

Running the race is very, very important, but finishing is equally important. 36 years into Asa’s reign he was faced with another challenge from his brothers to the North. King Baasha of Israel had tried to set up an embargo on Judah and instead of depending upon the Lord; he turned to his prosperity and the prosperity of the nation of Judah. God was not pleased and ultimately Asa became bitter as God rebuked him for his unbelief and ruined what was otherwise a spotless reign.

One of the hardest things to appreciate is success. It is the corrupt nature of the human heart that likes to believe the blessings of God are not enough. The bible says godliness with contentment is great gain. Does what we accumulate really matter if we lose our own soul in the process? We should not be discouraged for it is possible to finish our course! The apostle Paul concluded his ministry proclaiming he had run his race and finished his course. He knew he had a crown or righteousness laid up for him.

No matter what we face, God is enough. How can we trust Jesus to overcome the grave and then freak out when we need to overcome an emotional, financial, physical or spiritual hurdle? Like Caleb said in Numbers 13:30 when facing the giants, “God is well able to overcome”. With God all things are possible. I am encouraged that our success doesn’t depend on our strength but upon Christ Jesus! If you are breathing God wants to use you! Lay aside the weight and sin that so easily besets you and engage once more in the race! Finish your course!