There are many leaders who start well but falter at the end. Here are three examples:
Moses: The greatest prophet, Law giver could not go to the Promised Land, but only the view from Mount Nebo. (Deuteronomy 34:1-12) Lord said that Moses broke the faith in Meribah Kadesh by not upholding the holiness of the Lord. Instead of striking the rock once, he did it twice and condemned the people as ‘rebels.’ (Deuteronomy 32: 51-52; Numbers 20)
Jehoshaphat: Jehoshaphat a good king, faithful, wealthy, led a large army and was the fourth king of Judah and reigned for 25 years. (II Chronicles 17:3-19) Ahab was a wicked king of northern Israel. Righteous Jehoshaphat made a marriage alliance with Ahab in giving his son to Ahab’s daughter. (II Chronicles 18:1) Later he visited Samaria and also decided to have military alliance to retake city of Ramoth Gilead. (II Chronicles 18:3) Jehoshaphat wanted to inquire the Lord, 400 prophets predicted victory while Micaiah indicated that leader of forces would die. Cunning Ahab tricked Jehoshaphat to wear a royal robe so that he would die in the battle. God saved Jehoshaphat from death. Prophet Jehu rebuked him. (II Chronicles 19:2) Sadly, when Jehoshaphat died, Ahab’s daughter was killed off the line of David except one. (II Chronicles 22:10-12) The dead weight of wicked Ahab drowned Jehoshaphat into misery as he was “unequally yoked’. (II Corinthians 6:14)
Josiah: Josiah was a great, king reformer. “Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.” (II Kings 23:25) Yet he lacked discernment. Pharaoh Neco was going to attack the King of Assyria. Neco clearly warned Josiah that he was not attacking him, but king of Assyria. (II Chronicles 35:22) Josiah unnecessarily went to fight with him and died at Megiddo. (II Kings 23:29)
Good beginning, steadfast running and a victorious crossing of the finish-line is essential in Christian life.
Do I falter in my race?