“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV
This was Paul’s last epistle, written to Timothy shortly before his death. Tradition tells us Paul was beheaded, just outside of Rome. Though he had been sentenced to death, and was awaiting Nero’s order of execution, rather than agonize over his impending execution, Paul chose these words, as he wrote to Timothy, whom he loved as his own son.
Can we stand up to the most difficult challenges in our lives with this same demeanor? The challenges or “battles” we face every day will range in degree of ferocity. Can we not only look to the Lord for our strength and comfort, but also have the character to offer words of encouragement, as Paul did? Our own illnesses, death of a loved one, or simply the loss of something of great value so often creates great angst in our walk.
We can learn from the example given to us in the book of Daniel, when three followers of our Lord were faced with certain death, yet would not bow down to another god, (King Nebuchadnezzar).
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” NIV
I submit to you, many were saved that day. Their commitment to God, whether or not he chose to deliver them from this terrible form of death, opens the eyes of potential believers and encourages them beyond words.
As he always does, Jesus, our Lord and God, sets the greatest of examples.
“Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.” I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:31-33 NIV
We know he said this the night he was arrested and eventually lead to the cross. He faced the most difficult of deaths, and most undeserved of punishments, yet he leaves us with two resounding thoughts and words of encouragement. He said “I am not alone,” and he reminded his apostles to “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” I believe that we, as followers of The Way, can approach every difficulty we face in this exact manner.
One of the keys when you are going through something difficult, is to remember, that you are only going through it, and not stuck in it!
Our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, is coming back. He says:
“Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.””Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” Revelation 22:11-12 NIV
In any situation we face, isn’t that enough?
Our Lord is coming soon….
Love one another….
Barnabas
Special thanks for this guest submission by Barnabas.
Walking with God is not a saying or expression, it is a continuing experience. Those who have understood this are strong in faith and hope. Those who miss the point have condemned themselves to insecurity and fear (which torments them).