I'm watching TV the other evening and one of the commercials that was shown had to do with buying a new car. However, the car was super imposed on a black and white scene from the movie "Ben Hur". It showed the car side by side the chariots in the race.
In that great race I recall how the Roman took his whip and layed it on the horse of Ben Hur. This was done several times. Naturally, the horse wants to react. But because of the strength of Beb Hur's hands holding the reigns extremely tight, he was able to restrain the frightened horse. It was like a superhuman feat.
Where did he get his strong hand with such a mighty grip which helped him at that point? The answer is from the oar which for so long he was made to work. His feet were strongly planted on that chariot's floor where he pushed down when the ship was tossed back and forth. As the beat of the drum-master, so the pressure was on his feet and hands.
My obvious comparison is that while in SLAVERY he was being schooled for a better work that he would be faced with.
So I ask you, my friend, to evaluate the "school you are in" now. You will be called into the "race" and with the strength gained from difficulty (through which you may now be going) you will be able to finish strong.
The writer of Hebrews puts it this way (12:1,2)
"...let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus..."
May this on-line reader really know that things they go through now are helping them go through things tomorrow. May they hold steadfast and thus develop an inner and outer strength. In the name of Jesus.
Amen