The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong

 

 

“11  I returned, and I saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor yet bread to the wise, nor also riches to men of understanding, neither yet favor to men of knowledge: but time and chance cometh to them all. 12 For neither doth man know his time, but as the fishes which are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare: so are the children of men snared in the evil time when it falleth upon them suddenly.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 GenevaBible)

“24  Know ye not, that they which run in a race, run all, yet one receiveth the price? so run that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that proveth masteries, abstaineth from all things: and they do it to obtain a corruptible crown: but we for an incorruptible.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25 GenevaBible)

“For as the body without ye spirit is dead, even so the faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26 GenevaBible)

“For God so loved the world, that he hath given his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 GenevaBible)

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth (though it be tried with fire) might be found unto your praise, and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 1:7 GenevaBible)

“6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. 7 Cast all your care on him: for he careth for you. 8  Be sober, and watch: for your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren which are in the world. 10  And the God of all grace, which hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a little, make you perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:6-10 GenevaBible)

“When thou shalt go forth to war against thine enemies, and shalt see horses and chariots, and people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 20:1 GenevaBible)

“And that all this assembly may know, that the Lord saveth not with sword nor with spear (for the battle is the Lords) and he will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47 GenevaBible)

“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: stand still, move not, and behold the salvation of the Lord towards you: O Judah, and Jerusalem, fear ye not, neither be afraid: tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.” (2 Chronicles 20:17 GenevaBible)

“If not, go thou on, do it, make thyself strong to the battle, but God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.” (2 Chronicles 25:8 GenevaBible)

“He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle, that was against me: for many were with me.” (Psalms 55:18 GenevaBible)

“O Lord God the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered mine head in the day of battle.” (Psalms 140:7 GenevaBible)

“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but salvation is of the Lord.” (Proverbs 21:31 GenevaBible)

“And in that day will I make a covenant for them, with the wild beasts, and with the fowls of the heaven, and with that which creepeth upon the earth: and I will break the bow, and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to sleep safely.” (Hosea 2:18 GenevaBible)

“(Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and men see his filthiness)” (Revelation 16:15 GenevaBible)

“And shall go out to deceive the people, which are in the four quarters of the earth: even Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is, as the sand of the sea.” (Revelation 20:8 GenevaBible)

“I do not abrogate the grace of God: for if righteousness be by the Law, then Christ died without a cause.” (Galatians 2:21 GenevaBible)

“For the Scripture foreseeing, that God would justify the Gentiles through faith, preached before the Gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all the Gentiles be blessed.” (Galatians 3:8 GenevaBible)

“And that no man is justified by the Law in the sight of God, it is evident: for the just shall live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11 GenevaBible)

“For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty: only use not your liberty as an occasion unto the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13 GenevaBible)

“21 But now is the righteousness, of God made manifest without the Law, having witness of the Law and of the Prophets, 22 To wit, the righteousness of God by the faith of Jesus Christ, unto all, and upon all that believe.” (Romans 3:21-22 GenevaBible)

“For the promise that he should be the heir of the world, was not given to Abraham, or to his seed, through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith.” (Romans 4:13 GenevaBible)

“1  What shall we say then? Shall we continue still in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. 2 How shall we, that are dead to sin, live yet therein? 3 Know ye not, that all we which have been baptized into Jesus Christ, have been baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:1-3 GenevaBible)

“For if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart, that God raised him up from the dead, thou shalt be saved:” (Romans 10:9 GenevaBible)

“For he that doubteth, is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: and whatsoever is not of faith, is sin.” (Romans 14:23 GenevaBible)

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God, must believe that God is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6 GenevaBible)

“For it is God which worketh in you, both the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13 GenevaBible)

“I am that vine: ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me can ye do nothing.” (John 15:5 GenevaBible)

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 Preceding article: Salvation and Righteousness

Running – Photo by Nevit Dilmen

 

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Additional reading:

1. Words to inspire and to give wisdom
2. “Unnoticed”
3. We are redeemed; we are “bought with a price”
4. Atonement and the race been bought
5. Running the battle
6. Life is like a ten-speed bike.
7. Observing the commandments and becoming doers of the Word
8. Wishing to do the will of God
9. Every athlete exercises self control

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