2008-04-24 Thu 5:15a Guatemala City

2 Kings 13

Finishing life well: (v14) “O my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!” Elisha’s ministry extended over more than 60 years and 6 kings of northern Israel. He was one of the few leaders in Scripture who finished well. Dr. Bobby Clinton, leadership professor at Fuller Seminary’s School of World Mission, began investigating in 1982, the lives of over 600 leaders in the Bible, in history and in the Church. He found that only 1 in 3 finished life well. He defines finishing well as, leaving an enduring legacy that continues to bless others long after their death. He describes 7 primary barriers to finishing well:

1. Finances
2. Pride
3. Power (abuse of it)
4. Sexual misconduct
5. Family (social base)
6. Ceasing to learn (renewal)
7. Lack of inner healing

Clinton doesn’t bring this out, but I see these same 7 obstacles to finishing well in the first description of Jesus bride in Revelation 2-3. Ephesus and Laodicea had lost their passion due to failing to seek continual renewal and understanding. Smyrna, the suffering church, would need to seek emotional healing for the injustices she’d receive. Pergamos needed to repent for her misuse of money (doctrine of Baalam). Thyatira need to repent for sexual misconduct. Sardis needed to humble herself of her pride. And Filadelphia needed to continue to build the wonderful social base she had developed.

5 Essentials to finish well:

1. A broad perspective from paradigm shifts
2. Expectancy of constant renewal
3. Practicing the disciplines (especially the spiritual ones)
4. Constantly learning – never ceasing to grow
5. Good mentors

Its not how well we begin and run, but how well we finish that matters. The treasure of our example is incalculable. INSTE’s course in Christian leadership is a synopsis of Dr. Clinton’s biblical philosophy of leadership and training to finish well.

Helen’s Dad and Mom, Charles and Indy Whitten served Spanish speaking people for over 40 years before retiring. During their retirement, Charles lost his eyesite due to macular degeneration, yet told me that he had gone through the Bible more times since loosing his sight than when he could see. He listened to the Bible on recording, freely given by the Society for the Blind. He also listened to a library of books. They continued to minister regularly for more than 10 years in their retirement home. On every visit we made to their home, while our kids were growing up, we always knew how the morning would start. We’d hear them praying in bed before getting up. Then after breakfast we’d read the Scripture together and pray again for missionaries who were having their birthday that day. A woman in Spain wrote a book about them entitled, “Sent to Love” The Story of Charles and Indy Whitten. Thank you Father for the legacy they are leaving in our hearts.

14 – The danger of success: Young Amaziah, king of Judah had a half committed relationship with God. The Lord gave him initial victory and he became cocky. Because of his cockiness he brought disaster to Jerusalem. Oh, that we would learn from Scripture! Good mentors can help ward off this kind of failure.

15 – Just following the status quo: King Azariah (Uziah) of Judah, sought the Lord’s will while he was young, “and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.” (2Cr.26:5). He started well but ended poorly. He didn’t seek to lead the people to God. He only followed the status quo. He became proud of his success and thought he held special privileges with God. So he broke out with leprosy before the eyes of the priests. What a sad epitaph: “He did what was right, but…” The same was true of the northern kings.

Prayer Power…
Father, thank you for showing us what we need and must do to be able to finish well the race you’ve put before us. Thank you for godly examples like Helen’s Dad and Mom who are finishing their lives well. Glorify yourself in and through our lives. May our children and grandchildren see your love and glory in our example. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 114 – Here’s a short song of joy, a poem of the power of God – one that we can dance to remembering how God made water from a rock in the desert.

Pro. 24 – This chapter emphasizes the virtues of wisdom. It will make one strong.