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"STAY FAITHFU, THE FINISH LINE IS NEAR" "Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labour and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? (Jeremiah 20:18) Jeremiah 20 is a glorious testimony to the unwavering faith of Jeremiah amidst severe trials. His lamentations underscore the reality of human suffering, yet his hope in God’s justice and deliverance illustrates the depth of his faith. It serves as a much-needed reminder that, even in our darkest hours, we can rely on God's power and trust in His divine plan.The theme of lamenting one’s birth because of the darkness of the days was a familiar one for Jeremiah as well as many of the prophets throughout the Old Testament. Jeremiah was depressed, discouraged, downhearted and ready to give up. Every honest believer who came before him and who has come after him, will quickly admit to similar moments in their own lives. We should not be surprised when we are tempted to become discouraged and throw in the towel, since it happens to even the best men and women of God. Jeremiah was overwhelmed because he was trying to do the right thing in a generation of people doing the wrong thing. He was like a levee standing against a flood ready to engulf the sin-loving people of his day. So, what did God expect of Jeremiah, and every other believer who tries to walk according to God’s Word and will in a deteriorating society, to do? He wanted him to fight on, faithfully leaning completely on His power and protection. Notice here that God did not rebuke Jeremiah for being tired, but neither did He allow him to stop serving because he was opposed.We can learn much about staying the course from some faithful missionaries of the 19th century. We read that it was 7 years before William Carey baptized his first convert in India. It was 7 years before Adoniram Judson won his first disciple in Burma. And it was 7 years before Robert Morrison saw the first person came to salvation in China. We are just to keep on keeping on, trusting that God will lead us, not only here. but all the way home!I was reading an interesting article a few weeks ago that took place during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. The story was about a marathon runner who finished dead last. He placed 57th out of 57 runners, He was some 19 minutes behind the man who finished 56th. He had fallen early on in the race and was injured., but he continued to push himself. When he finally entered the stadium, his leg was bandaged, and it was obvious to the spectators that he was in great pain. He hobbled across the finish and the cheers echoed throughout the stadium. When he was asked why he didn't quit after enduring such agonizing pain, He replied. "My country sent me here to FINISH this race; they didn't send me here to QUIT."Friends, the Lord didn't save us to limp around life's track in doubt and end up quitting because we've got a few bruises along the way, He saved us and sent us, not to just start the race, but to finish it alongside our Beloved Saviour with an undying faithfulness to Him.