Running a long distance race requires much endurance to make it to the finish. Runners train for months, even years to condition themselves for such. Likewise, we are conditioned in the spirit to run the race set before us so that we also may endure to the finish.
In this life we will face persecution, opposition, trials and tribulation. We must endure many obstacles, such as: sin, stumbling blocks, temptation, doubt and anything else that may hinder us. If we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we will persevere just as He did.
The Lord renews the strength of those who hope in Him.
The prize for this race is not a medal, trophy, or a plaque; that which will not last. Our prize is a crown of life eternal!
With God's grace we will endure!
Hebrews 12
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [SUP]2 [/SUP]fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [SUP]3 [/SUP]Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, [SUP]2 [/SUP]fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [SUP]3 [/SUP]Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Isaiah 40[SUP]
28 [/SUP]Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
[SUP]29 [/SUP]He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
[SUP]30 [/SUP]Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
[SUP]31 [/SUP]but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
28 [/SUP]Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
[SUP]29 [/SUP]He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
[SUP]30 [/SUP]Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
[SUP]31 [/SUP]but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
1 Corinthians 9
[SUP]24 [/SUP]Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. [SUP]25 [/SUP]Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. [SUP]26 [/SUP]Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. [SUP]27 [/SUP]No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
[SUP]24 [/SUP]Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. [SUP]25 [/SUP]Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. [SUP]26 [/SUP]Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. [SUP]27 [/SUP]No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
With God's grace we will endure!