“Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea” (2 Corinthians 11:24-25).
Sweet friend, are you a child of God?
If so, I want to encourage you.
No matter what we face in life, we are to continue the race of faith.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it” (1 Corinthians 9:24).
Paul knew that we are not racing each other. He understood that our individual competition is with the world, our flesh, and the enemy’s schemes—those distractions that slow us down as we race to our prize, Jesus Christ.
You see, Paul was hated, ridiculed, beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned. Yet, he finished the race and received the prize because Paul knew God was using those circumstances to grow him up in the faith. And, Paul did not let this world’s distractions keep him from finishing the race well.
Therefore, my friend… no matter your circumstances or distractions—choose to focus on Jesus. Then run to finish your race well!
Heavenly Father, this world, my flesh, and the enemy are all coming against me daily. When I am distracted by these things, I forget to keep my eyes on You. Help me focus on you as I run this race. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Embrace His Truth: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33; 1 Corinthians 9
