“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
According to our Scripture above, Paul found satisfaction in knowing he had finished what he had set out to do. I know that feeling, and I enjoy it very much. I doubt any of us feel good about ourselves when we give up on something and don’t finish what we started. But I encourage you today to stand strong in faith, knowing that God is with you and that he wants you to go all the way to the finish line.
There’s no doubt that the greatest fight you will have to fight on an ongoing basis is the fight of faith. The enemy is a liar, deceiver, and accuser. He is relentless; he will try to make you think that God is not good. That you are hopeless, helpless, dispensable or useless. That you are unloved, unseen, or unwanted. That your failures or mistakes have disqualified you from your purpose. That your limitations can limit what God wants to do in and through your life.
The enemy thinks that keeping you up all night, you will never get through your challenges; it is over, beyond redemption.
But I beseech you today to hold onto the promises of God, believe in His name, and use His name purposefully in every situation, as Apostle Paul did. Let Jesus’ name become your default cry. Fill your mind and heart with the things God says about you so that you have the ability to counter the lies of the enemy. You are loved!
Remember, it’s a fight of faith, not a walk in the park. Don’t give the enemy any real estate in your mind. Declare and decree the truth of God’s Word over your life: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 – NKJ), and it’s “…Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6 – KJV). This divine message was given to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, to encourage him as he rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. It is not by our own strength, but by the Spirit of the Lord we succeed.
Be blessed and encouraged today, even as you finish strong in your building process.
Read: 1 Corinthians 3:9; 1 Peter 2:5
Bible Reading Guide: Proverbs 7:21-27; Luke 3:23-38; Luke 4:1-13; Numbers 11:4-35; Numbers 12; Numbers 13:1-25