Timeless Truths. What are you pursuing?


Life Has a series of finish lines. This blog looks at three kings of Israel--how they raced and how they finished. 
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, 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. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:6-8
Today we look at four runners.
1. David
2. Solomon
3. Hezekiah
4. <put your name here!>

FINISHING WELL
Expect Some Delays Along The Way
Principle: Embrace trials as your friends.

Human nature craves comfort, not crisis.
Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward. Job 5:7
PEACEFUL times can lull us into indifference.

Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. 2 Kings 18:5-6

Keep Your Eyes Open
Principle: Tend the cracks.
As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 1 Kings 11:4

If we pursue anything more passionately than we pursue God, we’re settling for second best.

3 Choices
David – Strayed [Bathsheba – 2 Samuel 12:24]
Solomon – Played [1 Kings 11:4] 
Hezekiah – Prayed [2 Kings 19:14-19]

Run With A Group
Principle: Be accountable.

Accountability is important for correction and encouragement.
We all have blind spots!
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

 Stay On Course
Principle: Mind the means, not just the end!

Most people that failed in Scripture failed in the second half of life.
And the Lord was with him [Hezekiah] and he was successful in whatever he undertook. 2 Kings 18:7

FAMOUS FINISHES
David: a man after God’s own heart. 1 Samuel 13:14
Although he stumbled badly, David finished well.

Solomon: Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely… 1 Kings 11:6
His life turned out to be one big tragedy.

Hezekiah: He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. 2 Chronicles 29:2
Hezekiah ran the race and finished well.

Today's question is two-fold
  1. Are you running the right race?
  2. How do you plan on finishing?


Today’s the day to commit to follow Christ and run the right race by living a life that finishes by spending eternity in heaven!

Special thanks to Dr. Keith Newman for providing the central teachings in this series.



Next Timeless Truth: Covenant Living and Faithful Worship
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