King Asa, the king of Judah, began well. He reformed his nation by removing idols from his land and even deposing his queen mother who was an idolater. And there was much peace in the land. (2 Ch. 15)

However, on the 36th year of his reign, he compromises his faith by allying with a foreign king. This does not please God. So, when wars start breaking out in the land, Asa is given a chance to repent. But unfortunately, he does not repent. He eventually faces his death diseased and enraged.

Take the Apostle Paul for an opposite example. He started badly. As badly as one could, really. He went around killing Christians. But he ended well – giving his life to the spreading of the gospel seed of Christ.

One application of this observation is being watchful and vigilant to the end in trusting and relying on God for everything. It is easy to look at the past experiences of relying on God and be smug in the latter years. But it is not how you begin. It’s how you finish. We need to live the life of faith until the very end.

Wasn’t it Abraham who was tested in his old age? He was given the opportunity to prove his faith by giving up his most prized possession in his son Isaac. And his faith did not wane in his old age. He relied on God to the end.

Let this encourage you. If you had a terrible beginning, well, it’s not how you begin. It’s how you end. But let it also serve as a warning to those who began well. Let us not be smug in our past experiences. God may have done wonderful things for us in our younger years. But we must press on. We must continue to rely on Him and take faith-risks.

PH