Daniel Fast- Called to Fight Until VictorySýnishorn

Day 20: Fight the Good Fight Until Victory

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

2 Timothy 4:7-8

“To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations.”

Revelation 2:26

The Lord crowned Joshua with triumphs and remarkable victories in numerous battles—Jericho, Ai, Asor, and the waters of Merom. Guided by Joshua, the children of Israel defeated the 31st king—an unprecedented achievement. The promised land was now secured as their inheritance, a testament to the Lord's fulfilled promise to Joshua, who unwaveringly adhered to His holy instructions, neither deviating to the right nor the left.

Through many heroes of faith, from Gideon and David to Solomon, Abraham, and Joseph, God unveils our true position in Christ—royalty. Empowered to triumph over the rulers and authorities of this world, we are the chosen ones!

The allure of victory is universal, fervently pursued to the point of bloodshed on the battlefield, in competitions, and across various sports fields. Yet, the victory attained in the realm of evangelism transcends earthly conquests; it signifies the triumph of life over death, the kingdom of light prevailing over the kingdom of darkness.

As members of God's army, do we possess the same audacity, zeal, and adrenaline to secure victory on the battlefield of evangelism? True victory demands absolute commitment, unwavering action, and unbridled passion.

The apostle Paul, often drawing parallels from sports, epitomized a relentless evangelist—a player not content with mere participation but fervently pursuing the reward and the crown. His quest centered on the victory of the gospel and the conversion of many to its message. Fueled by the grace of God, he exerted himself like a seasoned warrior and a champion athlete.

Exploring this passion through the lens of 2 Timothy, set against the backdrop of Joshua's battlefield triumph over the 31st king and the context of various sports championships, brings depth to Paul's exhortation. Written from a Roman prison, 2 Timothy serves as Paul's final letter to his cherished disciple, Timothy. Reflecting on his journey, Paul asserts, "I have fought the good fight." This declaration is underlined by Paul's documented exploits in the Book of Acts and his letters, particularly in 2 Corinthians, where he vividly recounts the perils he endured for the sake of the gospel. "I was much more in labors, immeasurably in wounds, more in imprisonment, and many times at death. From the Jews, five times forty blows were given me without one, three times I was beaten with sticks, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, night and day I was in the depths of the sea; many times I have been on journeys, in dangers on rivers, in dangers from robbers, in dangers from fellow tribesmen, in dangers from Gentiles, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the desert, in dangers at sea, in dangers among false brethren, in labor, in exhaustion, often in vigils, hunger, and thirst, often in fasting, in cold and in nakedness. Besides extraneous adventures, I have a daily flock of people, caring for all the churches" (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

Have any feats happened before our eyes? There are different kinds of feats. Each feat requires special efforts and complete dedication. It is impossible to do otherwise! At one youth camp, two teams of five played a friendly soccer match. The score was 3-1 when the coach and team captains decided to change the rules. They removed two players from the strong team and added two to the weak team. Seven were playing against three players. The spectators focused on the field, not knowing what to expect. Five minutes passed, but the score remained the same: 3:1. Then the referee removed one more player from the strong team and added three new players to the weaker team. It was a spectacle! Ten players were playing against two! The soccer field became a battlefield for a team consisting of a goalkeeper and one field player!

The only player who attracted everyone's attention started running and flying on the field, giving 200%. The match ended with a score of 3:2 - a great victory for a team with fewer players. A standing ovation exploded in the stands! The audience whistled, clapped, and shouted the names of the heroes! They played hard, not sparing themselves, but focused on the game and fully put themselves on the field. Despite the quantitative advantage, the opposing team could not mobilize for an entire game. Each player didn't see the need to put themselves on the field because nine others were beside them. This behavior on the field led to the defeat.

In Revelations 2-3, Christ exhorts the seven churches to overcome. The call is clear: fight until victory is secured. Some churches stand resolute, determined to prevail at any cost, while others fall to complacency, forfeiting their vigilant stance and embracing defeat.

In his encouragement to Timothy in the evangelistic race, Paul urges him to persist in doing good works despite the relentless pressures. Athletes, familiar with the weight of competition, resonate with the term "pressure"—the responsibility to compete, the challenge posed by competitors, the scrutiny of spectators, and the referees' judgments. Paul asserts that he endured it all, standing firm through persecution, imprisonment, and suffering for the sake of evangelism.

To endure opposition requires fortitude. Paul highlights the desertion he faced, including the people from Asia Minor – Phygelus and Hermogenes and even Dimas, who, swayed by the allure of the present age, turned away. Paul's triumph rested on his ability to discern the One in control—the Righteous Judge, strengthening him to be an overcomer.

«Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.»

Revelation 2:7

Reflection Questions:

1. Are we victors, and if so, why?

2. What changes must we implement in our lives and endeavors to witness real exploits and victory in our evangelism?

3. In which areas do we currently need victory, and how can we attain it?

Prayer:

1. For God to give endurance and encouragement to those who are tired.
2. For areas in your personal and ministry life where you need victories.
3. For North Africa Middle East Big Region – may they see multiplication of teams and disciples in the world of sport, play and fitness.