The Rewards of the Diligent by Dennis Burke

Author:Dennis Burke
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-01-21T11:55:28+00:00

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It’s How You Finish That Counts

In any race it is not the start that is remembered. It is the finish! Certainly, the better the start, the greater the possibility that the finish will be great also. It is, however, how you finish that counts.

Many of the great people of the Bible had a very good start, but their finish was a tragedy. First Corinthians 10:12 reminds us of this important possibility:

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

This is a serious consideration. Many people begin in the Christian walk and truly start to grow and develop. Oh, they are so thrilled with their new-found faith. Their home begins to come under control. Their business takes a turn upward. Things seem to be going so well. Suddenly, the enemy puts the pressure on. It's what they do at that point that determines how they will finish.

Satan wants to destroy what God has built into you. When it looks as though you are standing well, that's when you must be on the alert for the enemy's attack. You must continue to protect the things that you have begun to enjoy in your life. You must remain strong in your spirit.

Constantly keep God's Word stirred up within you. Consider your ways. Let God's love continually grow. Don't allow yourself to take for granted that all will continue to go well. Keep your thoughts upon God's supply and your attention on His provision for you.

Examples in the Word

There are numerous people in the Bible who had a wonderful start in their endeavors with God. But though they began well, they did not have a strong finish.

Throughout the Word of God we read of people whom God has placed before us as examples. Some of these are positive examples.

They serve to demonstrate that when a person follows God's plan for his life, the results will be powerful and beautiful.

There are others whose lives clearly provide a warning. The warning is this: Unless you are careful to follow God's instructions and complete your task, the destroyer is waiting to bring ruin into your life.

Look, for example, at the young prophet in 1 King 13. In obedience to God's instruction, he brought a warning to King Jeroboam of Judah. This young prophet stood before the king and proclaimed his message fearlessly. His word outraged the king who stretched out his hand and commanded that the prophet be seized. As he spoke, his hand dried up and he was unable to draw it back.

Suddenly, just as the prophet had said, God gave a sign demonstrating that the word the prophet had spoken was true. The alter which had been defiled through the king's idolatry split apart, and the ashes that were upon it spilled out.

Immediately, Jeroboam entreated the man of God to ask God to restore his hand, and it was restored. The king then wanted to become a friend to the prophet. But God had instructed him to leave the city and not to eat or drink anything there.

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