[Run to Win] Running With Perseverance Sample

Able to Stand

The combat arena for the wrestler of Paul’s day was the wrestling ring.Wrestling was one of the more important contests of the athletics games of Rome and Greece. It featured two men in hand-to-hand combat, with no weapons other than their strength and cunning. Both combatants knew the confines of the wrestling arena and the rules. There were no weapons, cheating, and no illegal holds or punches. It was to be a clean hand-to-hand wrestling match.

In his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul affirmed, “Remember where your strength comes from—your gifts, talents, and strength come from the Lord Himself.” Second, he added, “You need to know your opponent. In this spiritual wrestling match, your opponent is not flesh and blood, but it is the forces of evil and wickedness that surround you.” Your opponent may look impressive and overwhelming at times, but remember who is in your corner—the Lord God and His power and might. Third, Paul said, “You have at your disposal the armor of God—the uniform of the King—the shoes, pads, helmet, shield, and the sword of God.”

Though Paul shifted his metaphor from sports to war, the fact is that life is still a wrestling match, a battle between good and evil, between the power of God and the power of wickedness. Whose side do you want to take?Is it the side of the one who wants to knock you down, or the side of the One who wants to give you the strength to stand at the end of the match?

Lord, please show me all You have provided for me to stand against the evil in this world. When I wrestle against others, let me see the actual battle going on behind it and You standing beside me. Strengthen me for the struggle and help me use Your provisions to remain standing. Thank You.