The Tortoise and the Hare
Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>
From: Martin Overfield
Date: Tue, 1 Aug 2000
The Tortoise and the Hare
There are many who seem to make a great start in the race of grace and
along the road of righteousness who fail before the race is finished, before
they reach the end of the journey. I think that the story of "The Tortoise
and the Hare" might help us to understand a great Biblical truth: WE MUST
FINISH WELL IN ORDER TO MAKE IT INTO THE ETERNAL
KINGDOM.
"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no
work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou
goest. I returned, and saw under the sun, that THE RACE IS NOT TO THE
SWIFT, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet
riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and
chance happeneth to them all. For man also knoweth not his time: as the
fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in
the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth
suddenly upon them." (Ecclesiastes 9:10-12) (emphasis mine)
"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the
prize? SO RUN THAT YE MAY OBTAIN. And every man that striveth
for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
corruptible
crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so
fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and
bring it into subjection: LEST that by any means, when I have preached to
others, I MYSELF SHOULD BE A CASTAWAY." (I Corinthians 9:24-27)
(Emphasis mine)
The reader will no doubt remember that the hare was so overconfident
that he would win the race against the tortoise that he decided he could sit
back and take a nap when he knew that he was quite a distance ahead of his
opponent. While he napped the tortoise continued to be constant and
consistent in his effort to reach the finish line. The tortoise finished
first and the hare lost the race.
How true it is that many who seem to have greater talents, gifts,
abilities, and opportunities do not finish the race or may not even begin.
Then there are those who seem to have very little of the advantages of the
others, but they keep plodding and are true to God to the end.
I would suggest that many times the difference is that the less
advantaged are more likely to see their need of depending upon God, while
those with greater advantages are more likely to forget that they cannot
make it without God's help. Remember the Scriptures teach us, "For unto
whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men
have committed much, of him they will ask the more." (Luke 12:48) and "Let
him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (I Corinthians 10:12).
Also, God puts a premium upon "holding fast", being faithful, continuing
in the faith, bearing fruit (and much fruit), and etc.
God's Word teaches that it is eternally important HOW we finish. The
condition in which we die, or in which He finds us at His return, will be of
greater importance at the judgment than any prior condition good or bad.
"When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth
iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he
die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he
hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his
soul alive." (Ezekiel 18:26, 27)
Oh, let us determine that we will be faithful to God and be able to say
with Paul at the end of our last lap around the racetrack of life, "I have
fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,
which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and
not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
(II Timothy 4:7, 8)
"He that endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10:22)
Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield
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