Who will endure to the end?
Ecclesiastes 9:11
I returned and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
32 teams all in one place vying for the coveted prize of the World Cup (WC). All footballing nations had a chance to qualify for this competition but only 32 teams made it this far. In a few days, only 1 team will eventually lift the trophy, but everyone can say that they have an equal chance of winning it. At this point in time, you'll find fans in heated debates about which team is favored and will take the title. Persons like myself are even in the mode of planning their fantasy teams.But as we all know and have seen over the past years, it's not the team with the best players that always win or even the best team. In cup competitions it about the team that is most prepared on the day and have the mentality, endurance and will to fight that makes it to the end.
I can recall last WC Brazil was named as one of the favorites and with the likes of Neymar, they were sure to make it the finals at least. But due to unforeseen circumstances, Germany was the team that came out victorious. The title is not given to the team that is most skilled or the one with the most goals, but to the team that endures to the end.
Likewise, in our Christian walk, we all strive for a promise that is set before us. We all want to make it to heaven, to see our maker and to obtain that glorious body. We also strive to live a holy and sinless life in this time so that the glory of God can be seen through us daily. However, our adversary the devil is doing all he can to distract us. Temptations will come but with the resolve to not sin against the father, he will empower us to not fall. As was established earlier, the prize is given to those who endure to the end and we all have an equal chance to come out victorious. The beauty is that, unlike the football game, we don't have to do any work to win this battle. All we have to do is to rest in Jesus and allow his life to manifest.
As you go through today, be encouraged and be reminded that blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Let the love of God be seen in you today.