A nearby metropolitan area has an annual marathon. Thousands of entrants, including people from other countries, participate. The races feature a children’s event, a half marathon and the full marathon. Spectators line the streets to cheer on friends and family members and enjoy the entertainment placed along the route.
Athletes, businessmen, housewives, and students overcome heat, exhaustion and pain to complete the course. They have endurance and keep on keeping on. There are many winners, not just the ones who cross the tape first. Participants have achieved the goal of training, discipline and effort.
The Christian life is similar to a marathon. Runners battle the frailties of their own bodies and the difficulties of the course. Satan throws the obstacles of human weakness, the lures of temptation, grief, disappointment, and life’s painful experience to sidetrack Christians off the course. Those that endure will receive a crown of life.
LORD, GIVE ME STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES AND TEMPTATIONS I WILL FACE TODAY.
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