Finish Strong

Daily Reading: Ecclesiastes 7

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. (Ecclesiastes 7.8)

Devotional Thought: The college football season was recently completed.  As the playoffs approached, there was a lot of "trash talk" going on.  I think, though, that boasting is better reserved for after the game than before.  Patience is better than pride.  Or, as it says in 1 Kings 20.11: "Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off." 

How many of us have started a project with grand plans and good intentions only to see our plans fizzle and our intentions fade?  "I'm going to lose 10 pounds!" we say to our friends, who politely nod their heads in agreement but think, "Yeah, right!"  If they're kind, they don't bring it up when we gain 5 instead!  "Today I'm going to get that garage cleaned out!  It's as good as done!"  That night, with the car still parked in the driveway, we vow to do it tomorrow.

That's why the wise man said, "Better is the end of thing than its beginning."

Spiritually the same thing happens.  We have good intentions, but our follow-through is lacking.  I know many, many people who have had a good start with the Lord, and who have said to God, to themselves, and to others that they are going to serve the Lord with all their heart and soul.  But, when life happens, they fade away.  Somehow, the great beginning did not translate to a great ending.  The problem is that too often the boasting is done in the flesh.  The flesh cannot win spiritual victories for us.  We must live in the power of the Spirit.  Then, the end will be even better than the beginning!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, that "He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it."  Fill me, I pray, with your Spirit, and enable me to finish strong as I lean into your grace. Amen.

Psalm of the Day Psalm 13.1-6

1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him, ”lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

6 I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.