Finishing The Race With Joy---Day 198 Through the Bible

Our lives have been compared to flowers of the field that are here today and gone tomorrow.  May we live in such a way that we can say with the Apostle Paul, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).

Today's scripture readings conclude with the Apostle Paul's final words to the elders of the church from Ephesus.  (This short blog can in no way substitute for the daily Scripture readings in this study.  My prayer is that you have become interested enough to be reading the daily scriptures on your own, if not reading the Charles Stanley Life Principles Daily Bible.  The purpose of the blog is to present a sample of what is available in this study, leading you to a desire to join in.)  We see Paul focused on the church of God and not himself and the probability that he was going to die. He reviewed with these elders the focus of his ministry and acknowledged that he did not know what would befall him in Jerusalem.  He shared with them that he was aware that the word was that "chains and tribulation await me".  His assessment of the situation?  "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God".

He continued, saying that he had not failed to declare to them the whole counsel of God. He charged them as overseers of the flock to "shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood".  Paul charged them as leaders that shepherding a flock is a serious matter before God.  It should be carried out with continual prayer and a sense of accountability. Paul warned the elders to watch and keep in mind "that for three years (he) did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears".  Are there pastors today who actually shed tears for their congregations?  Hopefully, there are.  (And hopefully, pastors today are being lifted up in prayer on a daily basis by their flock.)

Paul commended the leaders of the church to God, saying that he knew God and His word was able to build them up and give them an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.  He reminded them that by his example he had shown them in every way by his labor, that they must "support the weak" (so like God!). Paul had evidently worked and provided for himself and for those who were with him (Acts 20:34).  Having heard Paul's last words to them, "they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship (verses 37-38). 

In Chronicles today, we read the phrases "made himself treasuries" and "provided cities for himself", in reference to Hezekiah.  We also read about Manasseh's horrible reign and his disrespect for the God of Israel. The outstanding lesson of Manasseh's reign is undoubtedly God's forgiveness. In spite of all his idolatry and sins against God--even to the point of setting up a carved image in the very house of God, God forgave Manasseh.  God heard his prayers in his affliction when Manasseh "knew that the Lord was God",  and restored him to his kingdom. God's mercy is awesome and not one of us deserves His goodness.

Do we really know, as Paul and Manasseh did, that the Lord is God?  Are we only focused on what we want and what we can provide for ourselves?  Or do we consider everything as refuse when compared to the things of God?  Will we be shaken by circumstances, or can we say with Paul, "None of these things move me"!  Think on these things.