Finished! / David Jeremiah

 

Finished! I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 A British preacher in the past, Edwin Paxton Hood, wrote about 2 Timothy 4:7-8, saying in his quaint style, “I have finished my course, says the gamester; I have played my last deal; I have staked my last chance…I have finished my course, says the scholar; I have read my last volume… I have noted the last fact…I have finished my course, says the statesman…I have framed my last bill, my last speech…I have finished my course, says the warrior; I have led on the last battle…struck the last blow.”[1]

Recommended Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 6 – 8

How different, noted Hood, is the Christian. Our adventure is to accomplish God’s will for our lives. Our work is assigned from above, and our course is set by the Lord. By God’s grace, we can accomplish the ministry He has given us to do, then continue to serve Him in heaven, where there is laid up for us the crown of righteousness, which the Lord will give on that day—to all who have loved His appearing. Ah! believe me, whatever we may say about the reckless, heedless multitude of mankind, those whom God blesses, and those whom God uses, cannot fall until the day’s work is done. Edwin Paxton Hood