The Last Mile July 2020

Hebrews 12: 1,2…”Let us lay aside every weight…and let us run with patience, (endurance)…LOOKING UNTO JESUS…the Author and Finisher of our faith.”                                                                      

The Word comparesour life to a RACE God has given us. However, It is NOT a 100 meter-dash…it is a marathon. If we fix our eyes on present circumstances, we will get discouraged. If we fix our eyes on others, we’ll veer off course, or stop running altogether.  We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and His Promises…and RUN!

I like to “picture” JESUS standing at the finish line, with arms out-stretched, smiling as He waits to welcome us. I can also SEE that great “cloud of witnesses” who once labored with us. They are cheering us on…and waiting to share victory stories!

Several times in my own race, God helped me keep-going by reminding me of a story in my brother’s life. Fifty years later, may this simple truth help YOU today.

My brother Earl, thirteen years younger than me, was drafted into the Army during the Viet Nam War. This was very difficult for our family. At that time, he sang in the Youth Choir I directed, and our favorite song was “THE BLOOD”.  Our family trusted in the power of the Blood of Jesus to return him safely. There were some hard lessons, but God used them for His glory to give us a Legacy Example of Psalm 91 for our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and “greats”!

At Fort Ord, my brother said they had weekly “marches” carrying their heavy gear on their backs. Before Graduation from Basic-Training, his platoon had to walk a “march” twice as far as the usual one. I’ll always remember his words: ”We all did fine…UNTIL THE LAST MILE.”  He said his buddies began dropping to the ground, exhausted and vomiting. His mind kept seeing others falling down around him, but he kept walking. Then he asked God, “Please, just help me make it this last mile”.

An old, familiar song came into his mind, so he began to sing it softly as he walked. Soon he heard other voices singing, then everyone joined in that crazy, old song as they plodded back to the barracks. When they returned, the Sergeant was laughing, “Well, this is the first time I ever heard an Army finish-up by singing a song!”

 

Ask GOD to give YOU a SONG.  Let’s finish OUR race with JOY!

Psalm 98:1

O sing unto the Lord a new song; for He hath done marvelous things:

His right hand, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory.