Stay in the Game

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10 BSB

In a story titled “102-Year-Old Becomes Oldest Person to Finish a Half Marathon,” published Monday, the writer said, “All eyes may have been on Mo Farah during his last competitive running of the Great North Run this past weekend, but another runner made history for staying in the game a little longer. Bill Cooksey, a 102-year-old World War II vet, became the oldest man to complete a half marathon after finishing the race on Sunday. Aided by walking companion Gavin Iceton, Cooksey finished the 13.1 miles in 5 hours, 41 minutes.” Wow right? The writer went on to report that “The Great North Run saw torrential rainfall following days of high heat in the U.K., leaving many runners stuck walking further than anticipated after floods hit roads and the Metro system. Despite the challenges, Cooksey braved the conditions and completed his goal to raise money for the NHS. ‘I am glad I have done it,’ he told the Daily Mail. ‘I wish we didn’t have to go through all that rain—but we did it.’” Talk about staying in the game!

And you know, when it comes to staying in the game or pressing on until the race is finished regardless of the time it takes to do so or the difficult and challenging conditions a person might face along the way, Jesus commended the church at Smyrna for their spiritual victories but then warned them that they would soon face brutal persecution by saying “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” In other words, “Take courage. Your suffering won’t last long. Press on until the end even if it costs you your life and you will reap eternal benefits beyond what you can imagine.” 

So knowing that terrible times, such as the ones the believers faced at Smyrna, are soon coming our way, let us be of good cheer as we heed the words of Jesus and continue running the race until we reach the very end…. determined to do whatever it takes obtain the crown. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that clearly tells us what we can expect to face in these end times. As the days become more perilous and believers come under persecution, please give us the wisdom, courage, and strength to suffer like a good soldier and to keep running the race until we cross the ultimate finish line. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!