When Derek Redmond pulled a hamstring muscle during a 400 meter race at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona Spain, he was determined to hobble toward the finish line. When his dad, Jim Redmond, came down from the stands to help his son cross the finish line, everyone in the stadium cheered them on.

In 2 Corinthians 12, we read about the Apostle Paul pleading with God to take away a “thorn” that was in his flesh. It would be easier to serve God without the difficulty this thorn presented. God assured Paul that by His grace, He would sustain him for the race of faith. God is our Father who, like Jim Redmond, comes down to support us, especially in times of weakness or struggles. He holds us up to cross the finish line, while the great cloud of witnesses cheers us on. You just need to ask for His grace.

“However weak we are, however poor, however little our faith, or however small our grace may be, our names are still written on His heart; nor shall we lose our share in Jesus’ love.”

SCRIPTURES FOR FURTHER REFLECTION

Take a few moments to look up, read and reflect over the following passages on grace and perseverance. Are you feeling weary, drained or unable to keep moving on? Ask God to sustain and strengthen you through His grace.

• 2 Corinthians 12:1-12
• Hebrews 12:1-3
• Philippians 4:10-13
• 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
• Isaiah 40:28-31

A PRAYER for SUSTAINING GRACE

Dear Lord, You know that sometimes I feel so emotionally empty, physically tired and mentally exhausted that I just want to give up. At other times, I feel like my spiritual tank is empty. Please sustain me by Your grace, and help me to keep living the life of faith You have called me to live. Help me to continue to trust, worship and serve You as You call me to. I pray for all this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Steps to Salvation:

The Bible states that God loves you and cares for you as a person (John 3:16). Humankind has been separated from God by sin (Romans 3:23). God sent His Son as a provision for our salvation through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection from the dead (Romans 5:8). Doing good deeds is not enough (Ephesians 2:8-9), but receiving the free gift of salvation is (John 1:12).

You can invite Jesus Christ into your life right now by praying something like the following

Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I need Your forgiveness and grace. I believe that Christ paid the penalty for my sin, and He died in my place, and He rose from the dead. I invite Jesus Christ to come into my life as Savior. Thank You for saving me from my sin and making me Your child. Help me to grow and learn how to serve You. Amen.