Are You a Runner?
Today’s Verse:
And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings. And the watchman said, Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings. 2 Samuel 18:26-27
As I write this devotion, I am slowly getting back into running. Running is a popular activity and exercise for many people. One man said that “running is the king of all exercises.” It is a strengthening exercise for your legs and lower torso. It builds stamina and endurance. It burns calories and keeps you fit. It is an exercise that greatly contributes to overall good health. This morning, we are considering a runner and how his running speaks to us about the Christian life.
We see a man running with God.
“Behold another man running alone.” Running tends to be an exercise that you do alone. In the Christian life, you are either running with God, from God, or to God. In Hebrews 12:1-2, the Christian life is described as a race that we must run with patience. It is a race that we are running with God. God is alongside of us every step we make. Running with God means we are running according to His rules and within His boundaries. In running, you get winded, but you keep running. In running, you might fall, but you get up and keep running. In running, you might get injured, but you keep running. In running, the distance we travel will be long, but we keep running. In running, we will run on flat land, up mountains, in rugged terrain, and unknown terrain. However, we keep running because we are running with God. We run with God to finish our race well. Are you running with God?
We see a man running with the gospel.
“And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.” This man was running with a message he wanted to proclaim. Romans 10:15 says, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” Every Christian is to have feet that carry the gospel message. We are bearers of glad tidings of good things. Let us run with the good news of Jesus Christ. First, it is one of our weapons against the attack of Satan. When we bring the gospel to sinners, the gates of Hell will not prevail. We are pushing God’s kingdom forward when we bring the good news. The best news we bring any sinner is that Jesus saves. Put on your gospel shoes, and run with the gospel to places near and far to tell people about Jesus and his saving grace.
We see a man running with a goal.
This man was running to the king with a message. We must have worthwhile goals that will please our Lord. First, make it your goal to glorify God with your life and body. In running, you are trying to make your body healthy and in good shape. When we live to please God, this is healthy and keeps our faith, praying, and Bible reading in good shape. Second, make it your goal to be a red-hot soulwinner. Third, make it your goal to walk in the Spirit. Fourth, make it your goal to be an encouragement to other people. When we set goals, we have a direction and a directive. Goals stretch us. Goals push us. Goals motivate us. Goals set us apart from people who are unmotivated and going nowhere.
Let’s run! Let’s seek to run the distance and not look back. Look ahead and determine to finish the race!
Have a runner’s God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: John 11-12