Marathon

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

In 490 B.C., the Athenians won a crucial and decisive battle over the forces of King Darius I of Persia, on a plain near the Greek coastal town of Marathon. Upon delivering the important message of their victory, the Greek soldier who came to tell the good news died — he had completed the 26 mile course running and bearing good news, and did it totally unreserved until the moment he died. Today marathons are run all over the world, commemorating that very event 2,500 years ago.

Have you ever run in a marathon? I haven’t, but I have friends that have, and their testimony is that it is the most grueling of races. They tell me that no matter how good you are, or how well you have trained, there are times in the race you just want to quit. 

If that’s true, why don’t more runners drop out? Most likely, it’s the prize they hope to win. In our day, everyone who races gets some kind of reward—money, trophies, ribbons, etc. Back in King Darius’ day, only one would receive the prize, only one! And what was the prize? Merely a crown of laurel leaves. 

We are in a race, God’s race, and the prize that awaits us is something far more precious than money, trophies, ribbons, and yes, laurel leaf crowns. Our prize is an incorruptible crown (1 Corinthians 9:25).  

Are you a runner like the one my friend told me about? Are you tired, weary, just plain worn out? Be of good cheer. Catch a second breath and keep going. You can, you know? Keep pressing on. Press through the weariness. A great prize is waiting for you. And remember, God is with you, strengthening your spiritual legs to keep running in the right direction!  

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2