Finishing Strong

Several years ago I read an excellent book by Steve Farrar called Finishing Strong. One of his most interesting observations was that so many leaders listed in the Bible started out strong in their commitment to the Lord. But later in life they faltered and their lives ended tragically in disobedience.

I thought of that book this morning when reading the story of Asa in 2 Chronicles 15:1 - 16:14. It was so encouraging to read of his commitment to the Lord, since I recall how so many of the kings of Judah and Israel "did evil in the eyes of the Lord." The Bible says of Asa:

"Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles."

Later in Asa's reign, he faces a huge army of one million men. As he cries out to God for help in this beautiful prayer:

"LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army."

And the Lord defeated this mighty army and gave Asa and the kingdom of Judah an amazing victory.

One verse said of Asa, "Asa's heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life." I read that verse and thought, "Wow, what a great example of a king that led well because his heart was turned towards God."

And yet I became sad when reading how when Asa grew older, he turned away from trusting the Lord. He made a treaty with a king rather than relying on God. When his feet became severely diseased "even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians."

After reading this story and meditating on it, I pulled down from my bookshelf Farrar's book and read this quote, "In the Christian life, it's not how you start that matters. It's how you finish."

I want so much to finish strong. To stay deeply committed and faithful to my bride until either one of us dies. To be a Christ-centered example to my children and their children. To not let pride creep into my heart as a leader. And to fall in love with Jesus more and more.

The good news is that through the power of the Holy Spirit you and I are not on our own in staying strong to the end. To the Corinthian church, which was certainly not on a trajectory of finishing strong, Paul reminds these Christ-followers:

Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong right up to the end ( 1 Cor. 1:8)

And as a prophet told Asa, reminding him of the days when this king did rely on the Lord, "the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."

After you read this blog, you might do this: pray for one fellow believer you know who is really struggling in their faith. Ask the Lord to strengthen their feeble faith and remind them that He will strengthen their hearts as they rely on Him. May your friend finish strong. And may we, also.

Jim