Faithful to the Finish

Well, howdy there, come on in that side gate over there, friend, and git yourself settled right up here on this ol’ front porch before that lil’ ol’ rooster by the woodpile starts crowin’ like he’s the chairman of the sunrise committee. Some folks begin the race of faith like a lil’ ol’ squirrel that found a whole wagonload of acorns, but finishin’ strong is another matter altogether. It’s sho’-nuff’ one thing to start out shoutin’ hallelujah with your shoes tied on real tight. It’s plum another thing to keep walkin’ with Jesus when the road gets mighty steep, your legs get real tired, and the devil starts circlin’ like a sneaky ol’ fox around the henhouse.

That’s plum why Hebrews 3:14 matters so much as it says, “For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.” The Lord ain’t callin’ us to a burst of excitement. He’s callin’ us to steady faith. Hebrews 3:13 says we need to encourage one another daily so our hearts ain’t hardened by sin. Friend, that means we were never meant to be hobblin’ through life alone like a lil’ ol’ lost goat standin’ out in a big rainstorm.

The devil would love to trip us up, wear us down, and talk us into quittin’. 1 Peter 5:8 says “he prowls like a roaring lion.” But Galatians 6:9 gives us a good stout word for tired saints: “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not.” Faithfulness ain’t flashy. It’s sho’-nuff’ daily, humble, stubborn trust in Jesus.

Father, keep my heart tender and my feet steady. Help me trust You just as firmly at the end as I did when I first believed. Guard me from drifting, strengthen me through other believers, and teach me to finish well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Well, skedaddle along now, friend, and don’t be lettin’ your heart wilt like an ol’ fence row flower in the August heat. Keep your eyes on Jesus and keep puttin’ one faithful foot in front of the other. An ol’ onery mule may balk and a lil’ ol’ crow may git to fussin’, but the finish line is still there, and Christ is worth every single step of the way. You’ve gotta stay with Him all the way home.

With joy,

Gwen