Fight the Good Fight

It was the best day yet, Father! I’m feeling it a bit tonight, but I know Your touch has been upon me! All glory to You, O God!

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A friend of mine commented this morning about how defeated he feels. He had listened to some inspirational music on the way to work this morning, and it lifted him up. But he feels like he is constantly struggling and is often not living up to what God knows he can be and do.

Before he pulled out for his route, I stopped him and in essence said, “You know, we all strive to fight the good fight. We’re not called to stroll the pleasant path. Be encouraged! God is for us! He is wanting us to be victorious! He gave You those songs this morning to lift you up! Keep fighting!”

Part of our predicament is the fact that we are human through and through. We stumble, we fall. But the most important thing is that we don’t stay down. We get back up and go at it again. That’s what God wants of us.

We don’t get to the end of this journey of life by strolling a pleasant path. As we all are well aware, our lives are often a fight from beginning to end. And that’s what Paul was referring to in 2 Timothy 4:7-8,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. NLT

It’s not a cakewalk serving Jesus, it’s a dedicated effort and though we may feel like failures – as I’ve said before – we are more than useless! God doesn’t tower above us and chuckle with glee when we fail. I believe He even sheds a tear on our behalf. He wants us to be victorious. But He also understands that we are frail.

As I write, lines of a hymn come to mind (surprise!) The fourth verse of O Worship the King, written by Robert Grant in 1833, fits perfectly.

Frail children of dust,
and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust,
nor find Thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender,
how firm to the end,
Our Maker, Defender,
Redeemer, and Friend.

Lord Jesus, be with my friend, myself, and all of Your followers. To quote another old song,

No, no, it’s not an easy road.
No, no, it’s not an easy road.
But Jesus walks beside me and brightens the journey,
And lightens every heavy load.

Amen.

Apr 26^th, 2022, Tues, 7:20 pm