Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 3-067 (Devotional)

RUNNING THE RACE

by Peter Kennedy

‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’ – 2 Timothy 4:7

John Foxe was born in Boston, England in 1516. He lost his father as a youth, and his relationship with his stepfather remained cool. At Oxford his brilliance earned him a master’s degree and a fellowship, but when he became a Protestant, he lost his fellowship, his family disowned him, and, turning to tutoring, he found it difficult to find steady work. Finally, the family of the executed Earl of Surrey hired him to educate the earl’s newly orphaned children, but he had to remain in hiding for his safety.

During the reign of Edward VI (1547-1553), he was able to live openly, and he began work on a history of the persecution of Reformers. When Mary Tudor ascended the throne, Foxe fled to the Continent. There he met John Knox and other Protestant refugees, and he lacking money, he became a printer. In 1554 Foxe published his research in a Latin martyrology of 212 pages. In 1563, he published in English ‘Acts and Monuments of These Latter and Perilous Days’, better known as ‘The Book of Martyrs’. The rest of Foxe’s life was equally difficult, fighting poverty and the acceptance of his works. But John Foxe remained faithful to his Savior until his death at 71.

The Christian life is a series of trials. But at the end of our race on earth is Jesus waiting to say: ‘Well done good and faithful servant.’ Today in prayer, thank the Lord that with each day’s struggles, we have Christ to carry our burdens.

‘We need to develop the ability to persevere even when the rewards are few and the accolades none.’ – Paul Borthwick

God’s Word: ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.’ – Hebrews 12:1-2

DEVOTIONS IN 2 TIMOTHY

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2003, Devotional E-Mail

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