We sometimes talk about life as a race. We are busy, want to do many things, and have little time. So, we run here, and run there, and are in a hurry to fulfill our responsibilities and reach our goals. Everyone knows he or she has limited time and tries to pack as much in the day as possible based on priorities. People may waste time, but wasting time is a priority for some. God speaks about running in this life. In 1 Corinthians 9 God speaks of the Christian life as running a race. The Christian is disciplined unto righteousness and obedience to God as they traverse through life with the goal of pleasing God.
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.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
God will strengthen the believer to obedience through His word. He gives his children resurrected souls and energizes them to obedience unto righteousness and preservance.
I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
Psalm 119:32
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
God speaks about Christ the Bridegroom as One who runs a race. His work is to do the will of His Father and to save the elect, His bride.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Psalm 19:1-5
As God saves His elect and brings them to spiritual life they respond by “running” unto Him. Once alive in Christ the believer desires fellowship with God.
Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee.
Isaiah 55:5
The child of God lives a different life than he or she did in the past and which affects his or her lifestyle and, often, friendships.
Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
1 Peter 4:4
God speaks about His eyes that see all things done in the creation. Nothing escapes His sight.
Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, the hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
Zechariah 4:8-10
The wicked also run in this life. They run to commit wickedness and sin. It may be covered by a moral facade, but God sees the true intent of the heart.
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
Proverbs 1:16
Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Romans 3:15
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.
Isaiah 59:7
Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD. They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
Psalm 59:1-4
God speaks about those who have appeared to be saved, but over time it is evident they are not saved. For a short time they appear to love God and obey His commandments, but later they no longer follow Him.
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
Galatians 5:1-9
In our day of the Great Tribulation, there are many who run to find God’s word but they can not find it because they remain in the churches, in violation to God’s command. Because of their overwhelming rebellion against God, He is bringing judgment against them by removing the possibility of salvation within the churches and local congregations.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
Amos 8:11-12
God speaks about a Christian, who shares the gospel with others, as one who runs. If there is no fruit of salvation in those to whom he or she has witnessed it is as though the believer has “run in vain”.
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
Galatians 2:2
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Philippians 2:16
Yet the believer knows that God is in control of His plan of salvation for His people. In times of discouragement, read Hebrews 11 concerning the saints of the past who were faithful because of their faithful Savior. Then pray that God will enable you to follow God's admonition in Hebrews 12:1.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1