Faith is Finishing What They Started

Hebrews 11:39-40

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

I chose this topic for my quiet time as I generally find it challenging to finish what I start, no matter the task. I am convicted right now in wanting to change this part of my character. Even completing my thoughts for this quiet time has been difficult as I have found myself distracted and pulled in every which direction. I recently finished out my last school year as a teacher where I had been for 6 years. I just recently completed my 21st year as a disciple. I am now in the process of moving all my belongings to Maine after living in Massachusetts for 50 years. Many times along the way I have grown weary in doing these things (right now I am physically exhausted from packing). However, when I look to God's word I am reminded of what the ancients were commended for. In reading Hebrews 11 , I am especially drawn to the character of Noah. He was in the shipbuilding mode for 120 years. He would have had plenty of opportunities to give up and not finish what he started. He lived amongst a wicked generation, not to mention living 500 miles from the nearest large body of water. There seemingly wasn't a lot of support on Noah's side, yet he persisted in this mammoth project until it was completed. If Noah had not completed the ark what would have happened? He and his family would have been wiped away from the earth's surface and we would not be witness to a man who obeyed God's call and who did give way to fear or ridicule. I believe that the key to finishing what is started is imitating the kind of faith Noah had. He did everything just as God had commanded. Genesis 6:3 .

Q: What is it that you have started and are tempted not to finish?

Please write down things that you hope will happen. Read Proverbs 13:12

Q: What will your response be to God if that which you hope for does not happen? Think about all that you hope for.

Q: Do you hope for things of this life or for the greater things to come?

A great cloud of witnesses surrounds us they are all watching us on the mission team to find out if we are going to finish what they started to do by faith. I believe we will and God certainly has us here in Maine because he believes we can finish what they started by faith. Faith is finishing what they started and ultimately God will be the last to speak and say: “Well done good and faithful servant.”