To Run the Course

I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart. Psalms 119:32

Psalm 119 is a great psalm that lends itself to the value of God's Word in man's life.  David uses several analogies through this psalm but one captured my eye … "I will run …"

I guess I like the analogy because I used to run and am now running again.  David in this verse makes a decision, a determination, and a declaration. 

• A Decision to Run … I will run
• A Determined Course … the course of Your commandments
• A Declaration of Result … You shall enlarge my heart

Any avid runner understands that running is a love-hate relationship.  Making the decision to run is imperative.  You have to want it and decide to follow through.  On June 15th I made a decision to run and on June 16th I ran one mile.  On June 30th I ran two miles and on July 5th I ran 3 miles and on July 10th I ran 4 miles.  I can say I made a decision to run and stayed true to the course and can declare one of the results of my running is I feel better.

But David is not merely talking about running physically … he speaks to us concerning our spiritual shape and how we are running with God's Word.  How are you running? 

A Decision to Run . . . I will Run
I've heard it said that the hardest part to running is "tying your shoes."  In other words once the commitment is made to put the shoes on and tie them you are out the door to run.  There are mornings I battle with the laces, because at times I really don't want to run. Tying your shoes is the first part of the decision, going out the door is another.  Going through the door is commitment in action, the follow-through. 

Will you or Won’t you?

“Running … requires only the desire to move our bodies and the wisdom to accept the difference between our will and our won't."  - John "the Penguin" Bingham

"As for the word that you have spoken to us in the name of the LORD, we will not listen to you!  Jeremiah 44:16 

"But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Luke 6:46

What will you do and what won't you do?  Sometimes in our spiritual life, the battle rages between the "will" and the "won't" of knowing what we should do according to God's Word. Often the biggest battle of our lives will be making the right choice.  This battle is one we wage against ourselves.  We know the right thing to do but we don’t want to do the right thing.  We don’t want to tie those laces and run that race!

Training
Every good runner also knows that you can’t just go out and run a marathon.  There is training involved to work up to being able to run 26.2 miles; intense training.  The same is true for the race we are in with our spiritual lives as well.  God is our personal trainer and He provides all we need to run the race with strength and endurance.  His word provides A Determined Course; a guide for the trail we are on. And, He provides the strength and endurance we need if we ask.  Seek the ultimate personal trainer for guidance, listen to Him and map out the course you are going to run.  Tie up your laces and head out the door.  Don’t think twice, just do it!
Scripture to Claim:
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, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.   Hebrews 12:1-2