A Superb Trainer

An Athlete's success depends to a large extent on the trainer. Regarding the ancient games, Archaeologia Graeca says:  "The contenders were obligated to swear they had spent ten whole months in preparatory exercises."  Christians too need rigorous training.  Paul advised Timothy, a Christian elder:  "Be training yourself with godly devotion as your aim."  (1 Timothy 4:7)  who is the trainer of a Christian "athlete?"  None other than Jehovah God himself! The apostle Peter wrote:  "The God of all undeserved kindness . . . will himself finish your training, he will make you firm, he will make you strong." -1 Peter 5:10.  

The expression 'will finish your training' comes from a Greek verb that according to the Theological Lexicon of the New Testament, basically means "to make an object [or person] fit for its purpose, prepare it and adapt it to its usage."  Likewise, Liddell and Scott's Greek-English Lexicon comments that this verb can be defined as "prepare, train or furnish thoroughly." In what ways does Jehovah 'prepare, train, or furnish us thoroughly' for the demanding Christian race? To understand the comparison, let us consider some of the methods trainers employed.

The book  The Olympic Games in Ancient Greece says:  "Those concerned with training one youth employed two basic methods, the first of which was aimed at encouraging the pupil to make the greatest possible physical effort so as to achieve the best results, and the second at improving his technique and style." 

Similarly, Jehovah encourages and strengthens us to reach our highest potential and to improve our skills in his service.  Our God invigorates us through the Bible, his earthly organization, and mature  fellow Christians.  Sometimes, he trains us through discipline.  (Hebrews 12:6) At other times he may permit various trials and hardships to come upon us so that we can develop endurance.  (James 1:2-4)  And he provides the needed strength .  Says the prophet Isaiah:  "Those who are hoping in Jehovah will regain power.  They will mount up with wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not tire out." -Isaiah 40:31.

Above all, God abundantly grants us his holy spirit, which strengthens us to continue rendering him acceptable service.  (Luke 11:13) In many cases God's servants have endured long, hard trials of faith.  Those who   have done so  are ordinary men and women like any one of us.  But their complete reliance on God has enabled them to endure.  Indeed,  'the power beyond what is normal is God's and not that out of themselves.' - 2 Corinthians 4:7.

Next time: A Sympathetic Trainer

The Watchtower, 2002