faithful TO the End
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store 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 longed for His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)
In today’s Scripture, Paul offers Timothy—his son in the faith—some inspiring and encouraging words to motivate him to keep going. Paul is doing some reflection on the way he lived his life, running and fighting and keeping the faith, no matter what stood in his way. He was prodding Timothy and us to look ahead with confidence, knowing that what awaits us is a crown of righteousness for all who are driven by the longing to see God face-to-face.
Moses is another prime example of someone who endured to the end. Surely, he, along with Paul and so many of the heroes of the Bible, felt, at one time or another, like giving up. Moses wasn’t perfect. He failed in many ways. Yet he lived a life of obedience, endurance, humility and unwavering trust in God—even through unimaginable, immense challenges.
The idea of keeping the faith—of not giving up—reminds me of the several years we lived in Detroit, Michigan, one mile away from the city's most violent areas. Yes, Eminem’s movie, Eight Mile, is no joke. We had three kids under the age of three. For four or five months every year, we lived under gray skies, surrounded by dirt-covered snow and often in temperatures below zero.
There were times I felt like giving up. But what strengthened me and kept me going was remembering Jesus, who …for the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2b NIV).
Because of the perseverance of Jesus, we too can be faithful to the end.
APPLICATION: In what part of your life do you feel like giving up? Ask yourself what might happen in your life if, instead of distracting yourself or losing heart, you leaned in and took one more step. Give it a try and watch God work.
PRAYER: God, there have been times I’ve felt like calling it quits. Other times, I just could see a way forward. But You’ve been faithful, and I know You’ll be faithful to the end. Surprise my heart today with Your goodness, that I may be refreshed and refueled to keep going. Help me be faithful to the end. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?