"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall RUN, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isa 40:31).
Have you ever wondered how this is possible? How can we ever attain to such glorious peace and spiritual tranquility as we "fight" the good fight of faith? Isn't that an oxymoron? Whose ever heard of a peaceful fight? A weary-less race? The only way we can accomplish such things is by waiting upon the Lord and His Word. With God, all things are possible.
We saw yesterday the importance of running this race as the Scripture validates. We aren't to merely run without aim, or trek this course void of understanding. Rather, we're expected to run THAT we may obtain a crown, a prize, and a reward!
Observe with me the many ways we are encouraged to "RUN" throughout Scripture.. Remember, these truths are there to give us insight into the means by which we can obtain. These truths will keep us rightly RUNNING, and prevent us from WANDERING (Amos 8:12)! They are there to give us vision, "that he may RUN that readeth it" (Hab 2:2). The Bible tells us that clinging to the Word of life is the only way we can RUN and OBTAIN: "Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not RUN in vain, neither laboured in vain" (Phil 2:16).
(1) Thankfully, we do not have to run or strive according to our own ability: "...the RACE is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong..." (Eccl 9:11). Some are more easily swayed off course than others; some may have more dramatic issues or sensual cravings than their peers. But this should never be a "finish-line-deterrent". No matter what we may be personally facing, God's ability is at work within us (Phil 2:13). This is why our own carnal ability possesses utter insignificance: "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that RUNNETH , but of God that sheweth mercy" (Rom 9:16). All we must do is respond and surrender to His greater and more prosperous inworking. The rest is history! What a merciful Lord!
(2) We need to simply run with God's authority and trust we will overcome. Don't be alarmed by consistent threats and opposition; don't let natural fears apprehend your will to run unto completion: "And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and RAN toward the army to meet the Philistine" (1 Sam 17:48). The only way that David was ABLE to run confidently in the face of outright opposition was because he knew the God of the universes was on his side, and at work in his circumstances! "David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee" (1 Sam 17:37).
(3) We must always embrace God's divine enablement; we could never finish this course on our own. David again is a prime example: "For by thee I have RUN through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall" (2 Sam 22:30). Even so, you and I can similarly RUN this race with fearless capability!
(4) We must allow the Word of God to have it's course and bear fruit in us: "I will RUN the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart" (Ps 119:32). And again Scripture says, "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you" (2 Thess 3:1). This word "course" is the same Greek word for "run" (trecho) that's found in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27. How can we ever expect to reach our desired destination if we don't faithfully adopt the divine road map of Holy Scripture?
(5) As we rightly run, we need to take heed to Godly counsel and wisdom: "I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou RUNNEST, thou shalt not stumble" (Prov 4:11-12). To ignore or take lightly God's necessary resources is to shun and shame His purposeful provision!
(6) This course is a holy path. It's a path for the just (Prov 4:18). Upon this path, let there be no uncleanness. Let there be the complete forsaking of anything that would hold us back. We are encouraged to forsake ungodly mixture as we run this course: "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye RUN NOT with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you..." (1 Pet 4:3-4). Such behavior will only prove to be a hindrance. Friend, our constant company will indeed prove to be one of two things: a blockade or a blessing. Of the Galatians Paul said, "Ye did RUN well; WHO did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" (Gal 5:7). Reader, let us never take habitual company with the backslider who has set his feet to "RUN to evil" (Isa 59:7; Prov 1:16).
(7) We need to perpetually cling to the name (character) of God: "The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous RUNNETH into it, and is safe" (Prov 18:10). What a glorious truth! The precious, loving and manifold characteristics of God are to be the fuel in our proverbial tanks. We know WHOM we are running towards, as a bride runs to meet her groom (1 Cor 11:2)! What great motivation!
(8) We need to possess a proper corporate mentality as we journey onward to perfection: "Draw me, WE WILL RUN after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee" (Song 1:4). God is looking for a many-membered bride to come to completion, not a mere one-man-show. Though only one receives the prize (1 Cor 9:24), it of course is not speaking of a sole individual. Rather, it's speaking of a company of people, from all ages of time, that have been separated and distinguished from the rest by the response of their hearts (Matt 25:1-13). With this in mind, we of course are not to compete with one another; that would be absurd. Rather, while trotting this spiritual track, we are meant to aid and minister to one another, bringing them with us towards the goal line (Eph 4:16)! What may be looked upon as an earthly race to the cloudy-minded, is actually, in truth, a heavenly race, with heavenly rules and regulations. Many can and will possess such an exceedingly great reward (Gen 15:1)! Let's help one another pursue this prize!
(9) We should run with patience and with righteous indignation, looking unto Jesus: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us RUN with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." (Heb 12:1-2). If our eyes are on Jesus, then they are off of ourselves, our surroundings, the mode, trial and length of our course, and the carnal woes and worries that accompany this "fight of faith" (1 Tim 6:12). Jesus knows our humanistic tendencies to grow weary and backslide (Heb 4:15). This is why He asks that our sight be continually fixed and focused on Him and His glory. This is the only means by which we will ever cross the finish line - "Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered..." (Ps 68:1)!
All of these principles, and more, are vital as we run this glorious race set before us. This is the means by which we run effectively, and "not uncertainly". This is the method by which we can "RUN like mighty men" (Joel 2:7). These are the truths we need to enable us to rightly "RUN with the footmen" unwearied (Jer 12:5).
Tomorrow, I want to look at an unusual depiction that illustrates this truth.
To Be Continued...
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