Running with Certainty

[1 Corinthians 9:24-27¹ KJV] “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. [25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27] But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway”.

Reference

[Deuteronomy 2:1-6² KJV] “Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the Lord spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days. [2] And the Lord spake unto me, saying, [3] Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward. [4] And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: [5] Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. [6] Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink”.

Motivation

I want to speak to you today about running with certainty.There was a time when the children of Israel took their journey into the wilderness and compassed a single mountain for far too long. Then the Lord came to them and commanded them to turn towards the north and journey on.Sometimes, when we receive such instructions, we become impatient and begin to run over heads and heels just to advance, but although we are set to break camp and advance, we should run with certainty.There are many people running; most of them are running because they see everyone else running. Many are also running because they have been running the kings errand, so even if they have no message they still want to run.

Discussion

To run with certainty is to run as someone who is seeking to obtain a crown; A crown from the Lord who shall reward His faithful servants. It is not about what is popular or what is nice, but it’s all about pleasing Him who called you into the contest. Running with certainty is to run as one who is striving for mastery.Until you run in life with certainty, no one will take you serious. The master rewards only those who do His will and run His errands. God does not supply grace to those who are doing their own thing. No shrewd leader give resources to those doing their own thing. You must be striving lawfully and striving to obtain.There are three things you fundamentally need in order to run with certainty:1. The Holy Spirit: The Bible says that where there is no vision the people perish because they cast off restraint (See Proverbs 29:18³). We, however, know that those who strive for a crown must strive lawfully and with a lot of self control. In an information and digital age, what you need is to know what you don’t need. If you google a phrase, there will be thousands of suggestion, the onus lies on you to know what to avoid and what to subscribe to. The scriptures tells us that when the Holy Spirit is poured upon us, the young people shall see visions. They shall see the way clearly and know what to choose and what to discard.2. Table:Any vision that you don’t pen down will be lost (See Habakkuk 2:1-4⁴). Every serious visionary writes down his or her visions clearly on tables. Where are your tables? Where is your pen?3. Wisdom:Very often, a vision shows you the end, but by wisdom you discover the steps that will take you there. Wisdom is profitable to direct. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” [Proverbs 4:7 KJV]

1. Pray for wisdom
2. Find and learn from an ant
3. If you can’t find an ant, remember wisdom cries in the street, and at the gates; just stop being intellectually dishonest and dull, cynical (scornful), and foolish. There is a lot of wisdom in the street.
4. Delight yourself in the testimony of the Lord, it makes wise. Read biographies and learn through testimonies.

4. Grace:Romans 9:10-16⁵ teaches that it is not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth; it is the Lord that shows mercy and gives grace. Jacob excelled not because he was good or perfect. He excelled because God showed compassion and gave him grace.May you run with certainty from today in Jesus’s name, Amen!Stay blessed; I love you!Noah Simpe Bediako

Rev. Simpe preached this message at the just ended Mid-Year Bible Seminar; listen to it at; https://www.podbean.com/ea/pb-dne6q-b767bd

Referenced Scriptures

1. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (KJV): Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. ↩︎
2. Deuteronomy 2:1-6 (KJV): Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea, as the LORD spake unto me: and we compassed mount Seir many days. And the LORD spake unto me, saying, Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward. And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a footbreadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink. ↩︎
3. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV): Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. ↩︎
4. Habakkuk 2:1-4 (KJV): I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. ↩︎
5. Romans 9:10-16 (KJV): And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. ↩︎