Built to Go the Distance

2 Peter 1:2–3 (NKJV) — “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.”

His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Last Sunday, we were reminded that we have a race to finish — we are to be consistent to the end. We must go the distance. And the One who qualified us to be in this race has also prepared us to go the distance and finish well. He has given us everything we need for both physical life and spiritual life.

The race we are running is not like a traditional marathon. It is more like a steeplechase — filled with challenges, obstacles, and unexpected hindrances. Yet even when we stray or drop the baton, we can repent, rise again, and continue the race.

We are able to overcome every challenge because we are not running alone. We have God the Holy Spirit with us at all times. He knows the course, understands every obstacle, and provides what we need to endure. We also have a great cloud of witnesses who testify that we are built to go the distance.

Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV) — “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.”

Enoch

Enoch walked with God for 300 years — in a time when few men did. Genesis reveals this powerful testimony of endurance.

Genesis 5:22, 24 (NKJV) — “After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years… And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”

Enoch’s life proclaims that we too are built to go the distance with God.

Noah

Noah, another witness, received a divine assignment that was unheard of in his time. The earth was filled with violence, yet Noah remained focused on what God told him to do.

Hebrews 11:7 (NKJV) — “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

Building the ark was a superhuman task that took about 120 years, yet Noah endured ridicule and opposition. His testimony assures us that if we keep our eyes on Jesus, we too will complete our assignment — because we are built to go the distance.

Paul

Paul is another powerful witness. His life demonstrates that no challenge can stop a made-up mind determined to finish well.

2 Corinthians 11:23–27 (NKJV) — “Are they ministers of Christ? … in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.”

In spite of all he endured, Paul approached his finish line with confidence.

2 Timothy 4:6–7 (NKJV) — “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Paul testifies that we are built to go the distance because the same God who was with him is with us — and He will bring us to our finish line.

We also have living witnesses today. Brother Darryl Ferguson is one such witness, testifying that as we keep our focus on Jesus rather than our challenges, we can go the distance and finish well.

His wife Natasha is another witness. When she said “I do,” she did not know she would one day become his caregiver. Yet He who called her is faithful. God has given her all things that pertain to life and godliness. She is running her race well. She is built to go the distance — and she reminds us that we can too.

Unlike a marathon or steeplechase where everyone runs the same course, each of us has a uniquely designed race. The distance is different for everyone. None of us knows when we will reach our finish line, but we know Jesus is with us always. He promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

If we keep our eyes on Him, we will go the distance and hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” We are built to go the distance.

Father God, we thank You for the encouragement that no matter where we are today, if we have accepted Jesus as Lord, He is with us. He is able to bring us to our finish line, regardless of what things look like.

We testify that there is a God who loves us — a God who will bring us through every situation because we have a hope beyond this life. May our lives testify to others of how You bring us through.

We thank You and praise You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.