"Ye did run well;Who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?"
I’m sure each of us can find an excuse or blame someone else when we quit short of the mark. In reality, we are individually responsible for doing what we say we will. Solomon, the wisest man in his world, said it this way:
"When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools: pay that which" thou hast vowed. Better it is that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay." Ecclesiastes 5:4,5
God desires for us to do what we say we will do. I believe He includes finishing what we start. In 1979 I returned to college to finish something I had started, my college degree. I really didn’t need to finish to do my job; I needed to complete a task. Shortly after completing my degree, a Southwestern business professor had to return home due to his father’s health. I was asked to teach his second semester courses. Without my degree, the opportunity would not have been mine. My stage would have not have been available if the task had not been finished. In II Chronicles, Asa had been a good king. God had blessed him greatly. Asa had followed instructions, but lost his focus and made league with the Syrians rather than trusting in God. He lost his crown and life at an early age. It is so important that we become finishers. Paul was able to write this affirmation:
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" II Timothy 4:7
What a wonderful testimony! We each can have the same testimony if we keep our eyes on Christ and allow Him to complete our course. Look at the next verse.
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness," II Timothy 4:8a
We serve the same God as Paul. His promises are just as true today as they were nearly two thousand years ago. We just have to claim the promise and look to Him.
"Far greater it is to have won great victories though checkered by defeat than to join that great host knowing neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." I Peter 1:3-5
Good thoughts about doing a job well done. The references you mentioned were very appropriate. I think finishing a job is a commendable accomplishment and something the Lord will certainly bless. As you showed through the example about finishing your degree.
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