Daily readings during the 2012 Games

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3 RUN THE RACE Daily readings during the 2012 Games Alastair J Kirk

4 Alastair Kirk 2012 This work may be photocopied and distributed for free with proper attribution to the author. Other quotations must cite the title and author. For permission to use this material for any other purpose, contact Photo copyright All photos of the 1908 Olympic Games in London, David and Goliath (p.38) and Olympia in Ancient Greece (p.54), are in public domain in the European Union and Australia because copyright has expired (over 70 years). Public domain in the US having been published before All other photos are public domain or attributed according to copyright permissions. Direct Scripture quotations used in this book are from the New King James Version.

5 Contents Preface 6 Surrounded by clouds Hebrews 12:1 6 Be an unsung hero Hebrews 12:1 14 Run with endurance Hebrews 12:1 18 Weight loss Hebrews 12:1 21 The three-legged race Hebrews 12:1 24 Looking unto Jesus Hebrews 12:2 28 Finish the race 2 Timothy 4:7 32 Where is your confidence? Part 1 1 Samuel 17: Where is your confidence? Part 2 1 Samuel 17: Running for honour John 12:6 32 A higher prize Philippians 3: Who is the greatest? Matthew 20: Muscle man Judges 16:5 58 Getting into shape 1 Timothy 4: Teamwork Ephesians 1:4 67 Going for gold 1 Corinthians 9: On your marks...get set...go! Matthew 28:19 74

6 Dedicated to our loving son, Daniel May you always look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

7 Preface London is ready for the greatest sporting show on earth the Olympic Games. The Games will bring entertainment and excitement as sports fans from across Britain and around the world gather in London and other parts of the country to witness this historic event. Organisers of the Games and government leaders are declaring that the Olympic and Paralympic Games will leave a lasting legacy that will be enjoyed by Britain for years to come. For the athletes themselves, the Olympic and Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of years of vigorous preparation. Each person competing in the Games has been required to prepare themselves physically and mentally for the toughest competition of their lives. With expectations set high and the world's audience watching closely, each athlete has their eyes firmly fixed on gold nothing but their very best performance will do. Like many people, I will be watching the Games with enthusiasm either at home or maybe closer to the action. My own brief experience in track competition was limited to my teenage years where I competed in Student Conventions. Nevertheless, I learned valuable lessons in the kind of preparation needed for running a race. My most memorable occasion was running in the 800metres track competition at above 7,000ft altitude and just over 100oF heat in Arizona, USA. As an Englishman, the conditions were somewhat alien to me, but after months of prior exercise and with the support and encouragement of a caring father as my trainer, I made it my goal to be ready for the challenge. Wet and cold dreary days through the winter months in England and being chased numerous times by dogs in the park were just some of the common challenges that could have put me off my goal. Nevertheless I persevered. I may not have made it to the Olympic Games or even close, but maybe I reached my potential and I certainly tried my best for God's glory. As a Christian, I have learned through many experiences in my life that sometimes we have to endure challenges that ultimately strengthen our faith and prepare us for the plan and purpose that God has for us. On many

8 occasions we may feel like simply giving up, but our Heavenly Father is urging us to pick ourselves up and complete the race. He wants us to fulfil our potential even if we sometimes doubt our own abilities and worthiness. In the New Testament of the Bible, we find snapshots of illustrations about running. I was fascinated how many times the athletic theme occurs. For example:...run with endurance the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1);...I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phili 3:14);...exercise yourself toward godliness... (1 Tim 4:7);...Run in such a way that you may obtain it. (1 Cor 9:24) By studying these and other verses more closely and discovering the meanings of the original Greek words, I soon realised that the New Testament authors, especially Paul, were very familiar with the Greek culture of the day and particularly its passion with athletics and keeping the physical body in pristine condition. The early believers would have easily related to the important message that God was giving to them through His servant, Paul. Paul purposely used running several times in his illustrative letters because he recognised a significant comparison in that the Christian life was like a race and the only way of completing it was through discipline, endurance and conviction. He wanted to urge every believer to fulfil his or her potential regardless of the challenges because he understood the tremendous blessing in doing so. Yet the race that Paul and others wrote about wasn't a lonely struggle of self-effort their writings reveal an amazing God of love who has provided a way for us to complete the race with honour. As the world turns its focus on the enthralling occasion of the Olympics, let us take this opportunity to look unto Jesus Christ who has already completed the race and wants to lead you to fulfil every potential He has for your life. How will you use your race to set a lasting legacy for those that follow you? I trust that this book of short messages on the theme of running and sport will encourage you in your race of faith. God has a very special plan for your life and wants you to obtain everything that He has promised you, so get ready to run the race! Alastair Kirk

9 Running with the Word: American athlete, Forrest Smithson, winner of the 110m hurdles at the London 1908 Olympics. This picture shows him jumping with a Bible in his hand. The first ever Olympic Games in Great Britain were held in London in To celebrate the Olympic Games returning to London, a unique collection of photographs from 1908 can be found at

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11 Friday, 27 July Surrounded by clouds Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1 There are two very good reasons why we should run the race of faith with endurance. Firstly, it is because we are looking unto Jesus (Heb 12:2) who has set the course and wants you to complete it with victory. Secondly, its because we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. The author has chosen the word since because it provides the reason to lay aside every weight and sin and run. But what is this great cloud of witnesses? The Greek word for witness is martys, which means one who testifies. It is where we get the word martyr. An understanding of the word martyr will help us to understand the witnesses in Hebrews 12:1. We commonly use martyrs to describe people who were killed for their faith. This is a correct definition, but the reason we use this word is because martyr actually means one willing to lay down his life for his testimony. For example martys is used in Acts 22:20 in reference to Stephen: And when the blood of Your martyr (martys) Stephen was shed, I (Paul) also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him. And in Revelation 6:9 the word martys is translated witness used in referring to the Lord Jesus Christ, And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness (martys), and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that

12 loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, In the Bible, those who ran the race of faith testified through their lives. This testimony was not just verbal, but the actual laying down of their lives. This laying down was not necessarily in death, although it sometimes resulted in such, but rather the laying down was in life! Paul illustrated this in Galatians 2:20, where he writes, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. The word therefore links Hebrews 12 directly to Hebrews 11. Remember that before chapters and verses were formed, the two chapters would have flowed as one. In Hebrews 11 the author dedicates an entire chapter to those who laid down their lives for their faith. We read of powerful testimonies such as Abel, whose animal sacrifice pleased God and through it, although dead, is still witness to us (11:4); Enoch who had his testimony before being taken by God (11:5); Abraham, who was obedient in laying down his only begotten son and was rewarded for his faith (11:17); Moses who chose to suffer because of his faith rather than enjoy the worldly pleasures that Egypt offered (11:24-25); Rahab, a harlot who escaped death because she was prepared to risk her life by deciding to do the right thing (11:31). Referring to these heroes of faith, verse 13 says These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. What testimonies of faith! The list of witnesses escalates with even more names and events. There were so many examples of heroes of faith, that the author admits there's not enough time to list everyone (verse 32). You see, there have been many men and women during Bible times and throughout history to the present day who have laid down their lives to run the race and experienced testing and trials just like you. Don't be fooled to believe that your difficult circumstances are exclusive to you. If you feel like you are losing the race, don't give up. You are not alone! You are surrounded on every side with clouds of people past and present who were tested but held onto the promises of the Word of God.

13 Hebrews 12:1, says that we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. If witnesses are those that testify of a life of faith, then history is full of them. The word surrounded is perikeimai. It is a compound of the word Peri, which means around and keimai, which means to lay. When these two words are joined together, they mean to lie around, as if something has been piled high and is lying all around you on every side. How high are we surrounded by witnesses? Well, the word cloud used in Hebrews 12:1 is nephos. Unlike nephele which depicts a single white fluffy cloud, the word nephos refers to a multitude and the word tosoutos, meaning so great, emphasises how huge the multitude is. In ancient Greek times, the word nephos was used to describe the highest seats in the terraces of a stadium. They were nicknamed the clouds because they went so high into the air. Putting all these words together paints a dramatic picture of being completely and overwhelmingly encircled by something that is stacked very high on every side! The Bible is piled high of people just like you who have endured difficulties by doing the will of God. But we don't just have to look at the Bible to find people who have testified Christ with their lives. You are surrounded on every side with clouds of people past and present who were tested but held onto the promises of the Word of God. Will you add yourself to this list? Will you join the heroes of faith that have already ran the race of faith and are now testifiers of God's goodness and faithfulness? Will you be one of the multitudes who bears the marks of suffering and the crown of victory, whose life witnesses of God's deliverance and mercy? One day, people may look at how you ran your race and determine whether it is one they want to follow. In fact even today, you surround your family and friends with an example of the Christian faith. Are you laying down tracks that lead them to Christ? Paul was one of many early church believers who understood his responsibility to take the baton of faith and lead by example. He said, Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)

14 Paul couldn't say this because of any righteousness of his own, but because he knew the early church needed good examples of people following Christ. Paul instructed Timothy with these words of wisdom, Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12) Today, the church still needs people who are committed to lead by example - people who obey the Word of God and are willing to lay down their lives to do His will. Communities, families, workplaces, schools, governments and in fact very nations have the potential to be shaken and turned upside down because of those faithfully prepared to testify of Jesus Christ, regardless of the cost. The most successful race you can run is one that leads others to finish victorious. The most successful race you can run is one that leads others to finish victorious. The world is in desperate need of men and women to pick up the baton and lead by example. Will you join the race? Heavenly Father, I thank you for the examples of those faithful believers of the past, who have bore the testimony of Jesus Christ and laid down their lives in obedience to you. Lord, I want to impact my generation by doing the will of God and lead others by example. When people look at me and how I run my race of faith, I want them to see You working through me. So I ask that You will help me today to be a faithful witness to You and be ready to follow Your will for my life. I ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen. TODAY AT THE OLYMPICS FRIDAY, 27 JULY: London 2012 begins with the opening ceremony, which takes place from 7:30pm BST at the new 80,000 capacity Olympic Stadium to welcome 10,000 athletes from 205 countries.

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