Understanding

"I run in the path of Your commands, for You have broadened my understanding. Teach me, Lord, the way of Your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so I may keep Your law and obey it with all my heart"- Psalm 119:32-34 (NIV).

Following Christ is not a passive activity. Paul defined your Christian life as a race, exercising self-control, to be carried out to the finish line (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). The course is to be run with endurance (Hebrew 12:1); forgetting what is behind you and straining forward (Philippians 3:13-14). If you become weary, God will will refresh you and renew your strength (Isaiah 40:31). And if you persevere, fight the good fight, finish the race, you will be rewarded with a crown of righteousness. That finish line moment, when you receive your crown, it will be awarded to you by none other than Jesus the Righteous Judge. (2 Timothy 4:7-9). His congratulatory statement will be, "Well done good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). Give us understanding Lord!