Finish Strong

Our family camp chapel speaker used the story of Gideon (Judges 6, 7, and 8) as an example of one of God's flawed heroes. During the last session, Tony Beckett challenged us to finish strong as we live a life of faith, and he reminded us that sometimes the most difficult battle we face is over self. To finish strong, we cannot give in to temptations from without. After Gideon subdued the Midianites, the men of Israel requested that Gideon rule over them and begin a dynasty (Judges 8: 22). Gideon knew this would have ended the theocracy, so he refused to reign as their king. But Gideon wasn't so strong in battling temptations from within. He requested a share in the spoils of war including gold earrings weighing 42 pounds, and he created an ephod (a breastplate) to represent civil rule. The result was a return to idolatry for Gideon and his household (Judges 8:27). This tragic end to Gideon's influence apparently was a result of his desire to be lifted up in the eyes of the people. He didn't finish strong because he gave in to his pride. Anyone can fall into temptation, even during or following a time of success. It is therefore important to not only be aware of our own weaknesses and sins, but to keep growing in our faith. On any given day, we should be able to identify at least one area of our lives in which we are seeking the Lord's help in conforming us to the image of His Son. And we should never be satisfied with just "growing older in Jesus." Our goal should be to grow to be more like Jesus.