The Power To See It Through

Introduction

Today we begin a brand new year, and in all likelihood a lot of folks within the sound of my voice have made New Year's resolutions. Probably most of those resolutions had to do with leaving off some old, harmful habits, and making some noble new beginnings in certain areas of your life. But as commendable and inspiring as it is to make new, positive beginnings, the real joy is in seeing those ventures through to a victorious completion.

Which brings me to say this, one of life's most tragic spectacles is that of a venture magnificently begun, but poorly finished--if finished at all. Jesus addressed that matter in Luke 14:28-30, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he hath sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, this man began to build and was not able to finish."

One of life's most crucial questions for each of us is, How can I guard against the the tragedy of being a starter who doesn't finish? How can I experience in my life "the power to see it through?"

One place in the Bible where that question is impressively answered is in the account of Hezekiah.  At the age of 25 Hezekiah became the 13th king of Judah and reigned for 29 years. He certainly was not a perfect man--the Biblical record makes that clear; but he had a terrific "batting average." He was a remarkable man, even a great man--and we get a glimpse of his greatness in 2 Chronicles 31:20- 21: "And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered."

Eight words in particular leap out from that passage and call for attention, "...every work that he began...he did it...." Hezekiah was not only a great starter; he was also a great finisher. We are given another, similar glimpse of Hezekiah in 2 Kings 18:3-7, and in those two passages combined there come into focus four factors which not only explain Hezekiah's "staying power," but also reveal how you and I can have, in our lives, "the power to see it through."

I. Be Sure You're Connected To The Source Of Power

One summer several years ago Connie and I, and my mother, were traveling through Arkansas and stopped for the night at a motel. Even though were traveling in an air-conditioned automobile, it had

been a long day, we had made a number of stops in the oppressive heat, and we were depleted. (That's Hebrew for "pooped.") We checked into the motel room, brought in our belongings, and decided we would try to find some light comedy on TV that we could enjoy while we relaxed for a few minutes. I pushed the "on" button of the TV set, but nothing happened. I marshaled all of my electronic engineering skills, which took about two seconds, walked over to that TV and began to look for the trouble. I pushed, turned, and pulled on several "gizmos" but still nothing happened. At that, I picked up the phone, called the lady at the desk, and said,

"M'am, this TV isn't working. Would you please send someone either to repair it or replace it?" She responded that she would send someone in just a few minutes.

No sooner had I hung up the phone that Connie said, "Are you sure the TV is plugged in?" I said, "Why, I'm confident that it is. I can see the cord running from the TV along the wall and disappearing behind the table. It's bound to be plugged in."

But then I got down on my knees, looked under the table, and guess what--you've got it--it wasn't plugged in. So I plugged it in, pushed the "on" button, and the TV came on just like it was supposed to. I picked up the phone, called the lady at the desk, and said, "Never mind sending the repairman; I fixed it myself." No, I didn't leave it at that. I explained to her, to my embarrassment, that nothing had been wrong with the set to begin with; it simply hadn't been plugged in.

Well, that TV being unplugged was no big deal, of course--but it reminds me of something that is a big deal--something that is profoundly, crucially important-and that is, that in order for your life or mine to operate properly we've got to be "plugged in," if you please, to God, who alone is the source of power for victorious living.

The "plug" by which a person connects with God is faith. Concerning Hezekiah, who demonstrated "the power to see it through," 2 Kings 18:5 says, "He trusted in the Lord God of Israel...." Unfortunately, though, a lot of people have utterly missed the point regarding what true, Biblical faith is.

Years ago I read about a circus high-wire performer, the great Blondell, who announced that on an appointed day, at an appointed hour, he would walk a cable that had been stretched across Niagara Falls, pushing a wheelbarrow as he walked. Probably he was going to do this as a promotion for some sponsor. At any rate, when the date and hour arrived for that daring feat, a huge crowd had gathered. The great Blondell asked the crowd, "How many of you believe that I can walk across that cable pushing a wheelbarrow?" Unanimously they lifted their hands in affirmation. There was a hush then as he walked very carefully across those roaring falls on that cable, pushing the wheelbarrow in front of him. He walked all the way back. The crowd gave him a rousing cheer. Then he quieted the crowd and asked, "Now, how many of you believe that I can walk that cable pushing a wheelbarrow with a man in it?" Again, the crowd responded affirmatively. Then he asked, "How many of you believe it enough that you're willing to get in the wheelbarrow?" Not a hand went up.

Apply that to the Christian faith. The question you need to face is not simply, "Do I believe intellectually that Jesus died on the cross for my sins?" The question you need to face is, "Do I believe it enough to 'get in the wheelbarrow?'" In other words, do you believe it enough to surrender your life totally to him? If you've never done so, I challenge you to follow Hezekiah's example and place your trust in the Lord, who has revealed himself in the person of Jesus Christ. Not only is he the only one who can save you from eternal condemnation; he is also the only one who can enable you to experience life's highest and best in the "here and now." He's the one who can enable you to avoid the tragedy of starting well but finishing poorly.

In Revelation 21:6 Jesus said, "I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."

The author of Hebrews 12:2 describes Jesus as "the author and finisher of our faith." Link your life trustfully and obediently to him, and he'll supply you with the spiritual strength you need day by day.

There is a second requirement for having in your life "the power to see it through."

II. Be Sure That What You're About To Start Right

In other words, be sure that it's worth seeing through. Concerning Hezekiah, 2 Kings 18:3 says, "And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord...."

First, be sure that it is morally right. Don't get on every streetcar that comes along. There is an old saying that "might makes right." But the truth of the matter is that right makes might . If you find yourself in a situation where the pressure is on you to make a wrong turn, have the backbone to say "No." Anybody can be a "go alonger." Even a dead fish can float with the stream, but it takes a live fish to swim against the current.

Well, how do you determine whether or not a thing is morally right? You certainly can't depend on what's socially acceptable, because a lot of what is considered socially all right is a stench in the nostrils of Almighty God. Nor can you depend necessarily on your conscience--not as the final arbiter. Conscience is a good, God-given tool, but it has its limitations. Neither can you depend always on the counsel of others--even though often God does use wise counsel to help us find our way. But the point is, while a number of things may be helpful, the final determinant as to whether a thing is morally right or wrong is what God says about it in the Bible. He never leads anyone to do anything, any time, anywhere, that is not in accord with the standards he has set forth in his Word.

The inspired author of Psalm 119:105 said, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

The truths of the Bible are never out of date, they are not subject to revision, and they are not up for a vote.

Isaiah 40:8 says, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever."

So, before you venture, be sure that what you're about to embark upon is morally right.

But more than that--be sure, also, that it's right for you. That is, be sure that the road you're about to take is God's will for you . Some things, of course, are God's will for everyone. He wants everybody to be saved, to live a morally upright life, to attend church faithfully, to tithe, and to reach out in compassion to others--but in many of life's particulars, his will varies from one person to the next.

For example, he obviously does not intend for everyone to work at the same vocation. He leads some into business, some into farming, some into the ministry, some into technology, some into being homemakers, and the list goes on. Nor does he lead everyone to take on the same responsibilities in the church, or in the community, or to join every worthwhile organization or movement.

Years ago a missionary doctor, Paul E. Adolph, wrote a great little book entitled "Health Shall Spring Forth." One chapter was entitled, "Decisive Living," and he began by citing Ephesians 5:17: "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is." Let me quote a few excerpts from that chapter: "Amid the rapid speed of living of our modern age there are many who find themselves involved in a veritable whirlpool of activities from which they seemingly cannot extricate themselves." "...they are bewildered in their feverish activity and do not realize that they are accomplishing very little as they drag their tired bodies to and fro to say and do what may prove to be the wrong thing, and that, perchance at a most inopportune time. If our days are a constant rush and hurry, week in and week out, there is grave reason to doubt if it is all God-given seed that we are scattering. He will give us no more to do than can be done with our spirits kept quiet and ready and free before Him. In this connection it is to be pointed out that a proper admixture of kindness and firmness should be invoked: kindness in accommodating ourselves to others insofar as is reasonably feasible, firmness in boldly refusing to do that which we know we shouldn't do under the circumstances. So, through such means as prayer, searching the Scriptures, and wise counsel, determine his particular will for you as an individual--and then get busy and ask him for strength to follow through."

"In the place of his will there is power;

His spirit flows in every hour;

Tho' our strength be small;

Tho' we have none at all;

In the place of his will there is power."

Here's a third requirement for having in your life "the power to see it through." Look again, please at 2 Chronicles 31:21: "And in every work that he began..."

III. Be Sure To Do It With All Of Your Heart

If it's worth doing at all, it's worth pouring your best into it. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might...." Colossians 3:23-24 says, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ."

At 7:00 p.m. on October 20, 1968, a few thousand spectators remained in the Mexico City Olympic Stadium.It was almost dark. The last of the marathon runners were stumbling across the finish line. Finally, the spectators heard the wail of sirens on police cars. As eyes turned to the gate, a lone runner wearing the colors of Tanzania staggered into the stadium. His name was John Stephen Akhwari. He was the last contestant to finish the 26-mile contest. His leg had been injured in a fall and was bloodied and crudely bandaged. He hobbled the final lap around the track. The spectators rose and applauded hjim as though he were the winner. After he had crossed the finish line, someone asked him why he had not quit. He replied simply, "My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it."

In one very real sense, John Stephen Akhwari was a winner. Anyone is a winner in God's sight who pursues a goal that God has set before him and then pours everything he's got into that pursuit.

When Luis Gonzales played outfield for the Houston Astros, he told the press that his personal motto was "Go hard or go home!" After a concert by famed violinist Fritz Kreisler a fan hurried up to him and said, "I'd give my whole life to play as beautifully as you do!" Fritz Kreisler replied, "I did."

Then here is the fourth and final requirement for having in your life "the power to see it through."

IV. Be Sure To Maintain A Close, Daily Fellowship With God

In reference to Hezekiah, 2 Kings 18:6-7 says: "For he clave to the Lord, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses. And the Lord was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth...." The Hebrew word translated "clave" means "to cling...to keep close...to stick to, to adhere to." The unmistakably clear implication is that Hezekiah, on a daily basis, stayed in close touch with God.

The moment you repent of your sins and accept Christ as Lord and Savior, you are, from that moment on, God's child forever. However, the matter of fellowship is another issue altogether. In order to maintain a close, warm fellowship with Christ so as to be sensitive to his presence and experience that inflow of "staying power" that he wants to give us, it is absolutely essential that we discipline ourselves to read the Bible daily and spend time daily in prayer.

I read about a famous airplane pilot who, at the close of World War I, was making a flight around the world. He had taken off from his last landing field located at Kobar, Arabia, and had been in the air for a considerable time when he heard a disturbing sound in his plane--which he recognized as the gnawing of a rat. He realized that while his plane had been on the ground somehow that rat had entered. Not knowing what crucial part of the plane the rat's sharp teeth might be cutting, the pilot was filled with fear. At first he didn't know what to do. It was a long way back to the landing field he had just left, and also a long way to the next one. Then he remembered that rodents aren't made for the heights and can't live in lofty altitudes. Accordingly, he nosed his plane upward another 1,000 feet, and still another 1,000 feet, until he was 20,000 feet in the air. Then the gnawing ceased. When approximately two hours later he came down in safety at the next landing field there was a dead rat in the pit of the plane.

If you and I will dwell in "the secret place of the most high"--that is, if we'll spend time daily in the high spiritual altitude of God's presence, through such means as prayer and reading the Scriptures, the gnawing rodents of temptation that would bring us down and destroy us simply can't live. Of course, at our very best we'll still have flaws and frailties--but by living in daily fellowship with Christ, we'll beable increasingly to make right, God-honoring choices, and we will increasingly experience in our lives "the power to see it through."