Hi Folk
Have you ever just got to the point where you are tired, when taking the next step seems to require strength and energy you just don’t have. Or maybe you find going through the same routine empty and futile. Work, home, bills, weekend and then it starts all over. Or maybe you are in a situation that just does not seem to want to resolve itself and come to an end no matter what you try.
I often wonder how Paul must have felt, trying to preach the Gospel of Grace and having endless setbacks and opposition. To make matters worse he ends up in prison a few times. I’m sure he must have felt despondent and struggled with futility at times. Yet I think we can all be encouraged from what he says to Timothy. “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” (2 Tim 4:7-8).
Paul also knew that it was not in his own strength that he was able to run the race because he says “but the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom” (2 Tim 4:17-18).
So I want to encourage you today, if you are feeling overwhelmed, where life feels like an effort to keep going, because Jesus stands by your side and gives you the strength to face each step of each day He will bring you safely to His heavenly kingdom. So stand up, lean on Jesus and run the race, fight the fight and keep the faith!
Be blessed
Harry