It was said of the great racehorse Man o’ War: “Some horses led him at the first turn, some led him at the backstretch, a few led him at the far turn, but no horse ever led him in the homestretch.” Some Christians run nobly at the start of the race, some do well halfway, but blessed is the man who makes a good finish. Paul’s batting average was good to the end of the reason: “I have finished my course” (II Timothy 4:7).
Devotion of the Day
TAKING NO CHANCES
I know whom I have believed.
II Timothy 1:12
Once in a while somebody speaks of “staking all on Christ,” or risking everything on God’s promises, as though it were a glorified gamble. But we are not gambling when we venture on God’s Word. Staking something on an uncertainty is a gamble, but when we commit to Christ we are depending on an absolute certainty that cannot fail. It is one thing trying to get on by auto-suggestion, trying to imagine what may or may not be actually true. It is another thing venturing on something we know is true, though sometimes it may not be real to us. Then we may with confidence live as though it were true because it is.
God’s promises are true, forever settled in heaven. Jesus is true. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but never His words. Paul knew whom he trusted. There is no chance about it, but absolute certainty. We are risking nothing when we trust Him. He will keep the deposit.