End Of Our Ministry

How we begin as a believer is critical but just important is how we cross the finish line.

Do we become more faithful, fervent in prayer and desiring to be more like Christ? Or do we find ourselves ensnared by something we refuse to surrender to the Lord? After so many years buried under thick layers of excuses that hidden sin suddenly emerges threatening to destroy us? What legacy of faith are we leaving for those who will come after us?

This is not a message for the old but for all believers to be careful how we live each day. Allow the Lord to challenge, convict and correct us in areas that if not addressed, will one day overcome us, if not already the signs are becoming more evident that something is not right.

King Asa sought the Lord during his reign as king over the southern kingdom of Israel. Under his leadership, idolatry was purged from the land. His people experienced a measure of success, prosperity, safety and rest. As long as he sought the Lord victory was certain and God's presence manifested.

Then it says in 2 Chronicles 16:12, "And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians." (KJV).

Something got lodged in the heart of this king that he completely stopped seeking the Lord. The worse the disease the more he sought help from physicians (this is not to say we don't seek out medical care) but his trust was wholly on man. How many of us rush to phone the doctor or take medicine without pausing long enough to ask God for healing? Sadly, our lack of seeking God is why many us experience a withering and dryness in our relationship with Christ.

King Asa's feet enjoyed walking with God and entering the temple to worship were now diseased, broken and useless to carry or support him.

Beloved, like David, we must invite the Holy Spirit to search our hearts when we have strength because there is a day where we begin to settle more, become cemented in our thinking and bound by habits that may only entomb us.

I think of Billy Graham who remains faithful to God, fully alive in Christ, not mired in scandal and regret as other ministers who have fallen into gross sin. Though Billy is not perfect, he holds firmly the truth and integrity of the cross. Even as his health has declined, there remains that strong voice that still glorifies God.

This is a man who God has entrusted as spokesman much like Moses because God found a man who was willing to undergo God's strong dealings in those early years.