2 Timothy Doxology
2 Timothy 4
2 Timothy Doxology. In this, the last letter of the Apostle Paul to Timothy, we sense that Paul's death is near, yet his personal testimony is confident and his faith in Christ remains steadfast.
To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18b, NIV
2 Timothy Doxology
2 Timothy 4
In this, the Apostle Paul's last letter to Timothy, we sense that Paul's death is near.
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. (NIV)
Yet, Paul's personal testimony is confident and his faith in Christ remains steadfast.
7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the
faith. 8 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. (NIV)
Was
Paul so confident because he had more and more support from his friends
during his imprisonment in Rome? Actually, the opposite was true.
16
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted
me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side
and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully
proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from
the lion's mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil
attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory
for ever and ever. Amen. (NIV)
What
do we do when all of our friends forsake us, and we are left alone? How
confident are we in the Lord? Can we say with Paul, "But the Lord stood
at my side and gave me strength."?
The date today is January 2nd, and it seems especially appropriate to think on these things. The beginning of the new year always brings a time of developing new aspirations for the coming year. In doing so, we need to think about where we place our confidence. In a time when the world is consumed with selfishness and greed, may God keep us from such tendencies. May we, like Paul, put our confidence in God and not in men.
As
we go through our duties of this day, let us pray that God would be
our strength, knowing that the Lord will rescue us from every evil
attack and will bring us safely to his heavenly kingdom. May we rest all of our confidence and all of our hopes on the Lord Jesus Christ. He, alone, can guide us through each day and bring us safely into His kingdom to live with Him forever.
To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.