Run the Race

Isaiah 40:29-31 
 
Everyone gets tired now and then, but God’s power never diminishes, and He is never too fatigued or too preoccupied to hear us or to assist us. 
 
We gain our strength from Him, and to do that, we need to take a moment to refresh ourselves and gain energy. That is accomplished when we can call upon the Lord for help.

• Jeremiah 31:25, For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
• Psalm 27:14, Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. 

 
We do not struggle alone. Others have run the race and their witness should encourage us to run also.

• 1 Corinthians 9:24, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
• Hebrews 12:1, Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

 
Winning a race requires purpose, discipline, prayer, Bible study, and worship.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Pray without ceasing.
• Philippians 4:6, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
• 2 Timothy 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
• John 4:24, God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
• Psalm 95:6, O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. 

 
We should not dwell on the past but grow in the knowledge of God. we should concentrate on our relationship with Him.

• Philippians 3:13-14, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
• Luke 9:62, And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. 

 
We should allow nothing to distract us from our focus on Jesus. We must count the cost and be willing to lay aside the earthly security.

• Psalm 119:15, I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
• Psalm 119:32, I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. 

 
We all require regular opportunities to hear and listen to God. When we wait on the Lord, we are expecting His promised strength to assist us in overcoming the challenges and distractions of life. Being ready for when God speaks to us comes from listening to Him. Therefore, when He tells us to wait, we should be patient and anticipate that He will fulfill the promises in His Word. 

• 2 Corinthians 4:8-16, We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 

 
Running away is not necessarily cowardly. Mature Christians should know that removing themselves physically from temptation is often a more courageous action. In addition, we are warned to run from anything that will produce evil thoughts, just as Timothy was told.

• 1Timothy 6:11, But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
• 2 Timothy 2:22, Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 

 
We as a whole need consistent occasions to listen to God. Anticipating God’s guaranteed power should assist us with transcending life’s interruptions and troubles. We do this by waiting upon Him. Listening to God encourages us to be inclined for when He addresses us, be tolerant when He requests that we pause, and anticipate that He will satisfy the promises that we will find in His Word.

• 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
• Hebrews 12:3, For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 

 
How does someone become a runner and what is necessary for running? 

1. Build a plan – get started
2. Build discipline – practice
3. Build endurance – feed the body and the soul
4. Build character – a steadfast routine
5. Build confidence – do not stop