Time For God: May 27
Written by Paul Beckingham
Focus: 2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Reflect:
In a marathon race, the finish line is a place of triumph, terror, and torment. Video clips show runners collapsing a few short yards from the ribbon. Others, in pain, stagger past the tape. Acts of unselfish behaviour emerge as one athlete assists another to limp over the line. My tears blend with theirs as I witness their sheer courage and persistent endurance. Their initial goal was to finish well; now it is just to reach the end. To reach their ultimate goal, athletes will utterly spend themselves.
Pain is a companion to all who fight to finish a race—just as it is in life. C.S. Lewis observes the effects of pain—its paradox and performance—in our daily experience: I have seen great beauty in some who were great sufferers. I have seen men, for the most part, grow better not worse with advancing years, and I have seen the last illness produce treasures of fortitude and meekness from most unpromising subjects.
The Apostle manifests exactly those treasures of fortitude and meekness as he strives to reach a good ending, to keep the faith, and to fight the good fight. Without the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, it is impossible to aptly fulfill our Christian calling.
Charles R. Ringma rightly observes: This gift of the Spirit is no little impartation. It is not a mere add-on. The Spirit is going to be bucketed over us. We will be drenched. Immersed. Saturated. In this gift lies the promise that the work of renewal is not simply our work. It is not our self-effort. It is what God will do. Others will see it, too.
I see Jesus in you! Her comment floored me. What? Me? Are you kidding me? Plainly not—she was fully sincere. Now that’s the miracle of grace! A sinner saved by grace through—even flimsy—faith finds it hard to hear and trust affirming words. Yet God fulfills Himself in his Word, His people’s broken lives, and in the beauty of creation.
Sophy Obuya says: We can rest in hope and peace as we wait for the final fulfillment, because we know we will rest, one day, in a city where all that was ever wretched and ruined will have far greater glory than we have ever known. A new day is coming. We keep the faith by God’s achievement—not our own. By His grace, we finish our race.
Consider:
What causes you to stumble as you fight the good fight? In your race, how do you look to the Lord to help you finish well? What sustains you in keeping the faith?
Pray:
Gracious and Holy Father, give us the wisdom to discover You, the intelligence to understand You, the diligence to seek after You, the patience to wait for You, eyes to behold You, a heart to meditate upon You, and a life to proclaim You, through the power of the Spirit of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
[Benedict of Nursia, 6th Century]
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Reflect:
In a marathon race, the finish line is a place of triumph, terror, and torment. Video clips show runners collapsing a few short yards from the ribbon. Others, in pain, stagger past the tape. Acts of unselfish behaviour emerge as one athlete assists another to limp over the line. My tears blend with theirs as I witness their sheer courage and persistent endurance. Their initial goal was to finish well; now it is just to reach the end. To reach their ultimate goal, athletes will utterly spend themselves.
Pain is a companion to all who fight to finish a race—just as it is in life. C.S. Lewis observes the effects of pain—its paradox and performance—in our daily experience: I have seen great beauty in some who were great sufferers. I have seen men, for the most part, grow better not worse with advancing years, and I have seen the last illness produce treasures of fortitude and meekness from most unpromising subjects.
The Apostle manifests exactly those treasures of fortitude and meekness as he strives to reach a good ending, to keep the faith, and to fight the good fight. Without the Holy Spirit’s empowerment, it is impossible to aptly fulfill our Christian calling.
Charles R. Ringma rightly observes: This gift of the Spirit is no little impartation. It is not a mere add-on. The Spirit is going to be bucketed over us. We will be drenched. Immersed. Saturated. In this gift lies the promise that the work of renewal is not simply our work. It is not our self-effort. It is what God will do. Others will see it, too.
I see Jesus in you! Her comment floored me. What? Me? Are you kidding me? Plainly not—she was fully sincere. Now that’s the miracle of grace! A sinner saved by grace through—even flimsy—faith finds it hard to hear and trust affirming words. Yet God fulfills Himself in his Word, His people’s broken lives, and in the beauty of creation.
Sophy Obuya says: We can rest in hope and peace as we wait for the final fulfillment, because we know we will rest, one day, in a city where all that was ever wretched and ruined will have far greater glory than we have ever known. A new day is coming. We keep the faith by God’s achievement—not our own. By His grace, we finish our race.
Consider:
What causes you to stumble as you fight the good fight? In your race, how do you look to the Lord to help you finish well? What sustains you in keeping the faith?
Pray:
Gracious and Holy Father, give us the wisdom to discover You, the intelligence to understand You, the diligence to seek after You, the patience to wait for You, eyes to behold You, a heart to meditate upon You, and a life to proclaim You, through the power of the Spirit of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
[Benedict of Nursia, 6th Century]
Posted in May Devotional
Related Posts
Recent
Archive
2021
January
21 Days Of Prayer: IntroConfession, Repentance, RestorationRenewed Minds, Higher ThoughtsGod's FaithfulnessPatience and EnduranceBorn Into A New FamilyFresh AnointingPromise of Peace and HopeWelcoming All to Christ's TableLament + RebuildTaking the Initiative to HelpLiving WaterPeople of Dreams and VisionsFasting and PrayerA New Heaven And A New EarthStrength in WeaknessPraying for Those with No Access to the GospelWorking for a Plentiful HarvestBlessing the "Least of These"Protection and Blessing for Our ChildrenDefending and Supporting the NeedyCooperation and Worldwide Outreach
2020
April
Time For God: Day 1Time For God: Day 2Time For God: Day 3Time For God: Day 4Time For God: Day 5Time For God: Day 6Time For God: Day 7Time For God: Week 2Time For God: Day 8Time For God: Day 9Time For God: Day 10Time For God: Day 11Time For God: Day 12Time For God: Day 13Time For God: Day 14Time For God: Week 3Time For God: Day 15Time For God: Day 16Time For God: Day 17Time For God: Day 18Time For God: Day 19Time For God: Day 20Time For God: Day 21Time For God: Week 4Time For God: Day 22Time For God: Day 23Time For God: Day 24Time For God: Day 25Time For God: Day 26Time For God: Day 27Time For God: Day 28Time For God: Day 29Time For God: Day 30
May
Time For God - May INTROTime For God - May 1Time For God: May 2Time For God: May 3Time For God: May 4Time For God: May 5Time For God: May 6Time For God: May 7Time For God: May 8Time For God: May 9Time For God: Day 10Time For God: May 11Time For God: May 12Time For God: May 13Time For God: May 14Time For God: May 15Time For God: May 16Time For God: May 17Time For God: May 18Time For God: May 19Time For God: May 20Time For God: May 21Time For God: May 22Time For God: May 23Time For God: May 24Time For God: May 25Time For God: May 26Time For God: May 27Time For God: May 28Time For God: May 29Time For God: May 30Time For God: May 31
June