Striving for a Righteous Crown

Reverend Leo H. McCrary II

The crown of righteousness awaits those who can endure the race

Today’s devotional reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8

As many of us have come to find out in our journeys, the journey of faith is not easy. Many come to God with a mindset that life will suddenly become easy, and that the sun will always shine. When Paul was at the end of his life, he spoke of his journey as a race of endurance, where he had to fight the good fight.

Anyone who exercises or engages in endurance training will agree that making it to the end can become a true grind. It takes grit and great effort to make it to the end. The believer’s journey includes several occasions where our faith will be tested by trials, tribulations, temptations, afflictions, and sin. How do we endure to the end?

1. Remember that God is with. In Deuteronomy 31:6, 8, Moses pointed out that the Lord does not leave nor forsake His children. In the day of your test, the Lord will make a way.
2. Remember that God provides. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us not to worry because God greatly cares for us, will tend to us, and will keep us in His care. In the day of your test, God will provide.

You are not alone in running your race. God is your greatest support and He will help you to endure to the end, where He will then reward you with your crown. Keeping these thoughts in mind will help to sustain you when the going gets tough.