Our Scripture reading today is 1 Timothy 4:6-9.
Verses 7-8, "But refuse profane and old wives' fable, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come."
There was a high value placed on exercise and physical strength by the Greek and Roman culture. The Apostle Paul did not say exercise had no profit, but he did challenge the people to focus on the eternal more than on the temporal. It was to be the goal of every believer to be more like God than the athletes of the day. This goal should still be in place today.
As we strive to live a godly lives it will not be without challenges. Our enemy who seeks to rob, kill, and destroy will always be looking for ways to distract us from the heavenly prize. Philippians 3:14, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Our walking in the ways of the LORD may not yield earthly riches, but it does bring glory to our King and it strengthens us to live in daily victory. 1 John 5:4, "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."