I have used this portion of scripture several times in these devotions because I believe that the race is not given to the swift, but to those who endure to the end. We have to keep running until the Lord calls us home. We cannot quit. I have seen many people start out but they do not finish. Thank God today for those who run with purpose in mind every step of the way. They have not grown weary or tired, but they are running to see what the end will be. In 2 Timothy 4:7, we find these words:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”

Paul never wavered and continued until the goal was finished, fulfilling his mission and ministry. Paul speaks of the need to keep moving on when he says, “I have fought a good fight.” This indicates that there is a crown laid up for him and for all who long for the Lord’s appearance. What wonderful words he imparts to Timothy, his son in the ministry, so that he, too, would run the race. Paul’s departure may have been at hand, but he was not complaining; he was thanking God. We can give a similar testimony to those who come after us. Prayerfully we can all say that we have run the race and when we cross the finish line, we will hear the Lord say, “’Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’”(Matthew 25:21 KJV).