The Pastoral Epistles: 2 Timothy 4 (6)

Pray Psalm 57.2-5.
I will cry out to God Most High,
To God who performs all things for me.
He shall send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches the one who would swallow me up.
Selah
God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.
My soul is among lions;
I lie among the sons of men
Who are set on fire,
Whose teeth are spears and arrows,
And their tongue a sharp sword.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.

Read and meditate on 2 Timothy 4.17-21.

Reflect.
1. How did Paul respond to his imprisonment?

2. Who are these various people Paul mentions? 

Meditate.
Paul did not allow imprisonment to prevent him from preaching the Gospel (cf. Phil. 1.12-18). The Lord, he said, “stood with me and strengthened me.” How amazing is that? Have you ever experienced the Lord standing with you and strengthening you in the midst of some great trial? The fact is, He’s always with us, and His strength is always at work in us, and always available for more power to serve Him.

But we have to determine, like Paul, that no amount of adversity is going to keep us from fulfilling our Kingdom-and-glory calling (1 Thess. 2.12). The world can throw at us what it will, but we will serve the Lord. If Paul could be delivered “out of the mouth of the lion” – a clear reference to Daniel’s experience – then we can stand firm against whatever “lions” might want to devour – or at least roar loudly at – us today.

Look to your eternal destination, and the promise of glory that awaits us in the Presence of King Jesus (1 John 3.1-3). Then live with all your might to further His gracious rule.

And make some friends along the way, who will work with you, learn with you, pray with you, stand with you, and who will devote themselves – like Paul’s friends – to the ongoing work of our Lord Jesus Christ. These are true friends, who will come to visit you in your times of trial, and will join you in your work, and in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflect.
1. What “lions” do believers face as they seek the Kingdom and righteousness of God?

2. How can we prepare each day to stand firm with the Lord? 

3. Have you surrounded yourself with Kingdom-minded friends? Would your friends consider you to be a Kingdom-minded friend?

Story has it that the apostle, after defending himself, was again sent upon the ministry of preaching and coming a second time to the same city met death by martyrdom under Nero. While he was being held in prison, he composed the second epistle to Timothy, at the same time indicating that his first defense had taken place and that martyrdom was at hand. Eusebius of Caesarea (260-340), Ecclesiastical History 2.22

Stand by me today, Lord, and strengthen me as I…

Pray Psalm 57.1-5.
What challenges to your faith will you face today? Call upon the Lord to stand with you and strengthen you, then go in obedience to live for His glory.

Sing Psalm 57.1-5
Psalm 57.1-5 (Faben: Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens Adore Him)
Lord, be gracious, gracious to me, for my soul retreats in You.
In Your shadow keep me safely till the storms of life are through.
I will cry to You, the Most High; You do all things well for me.
You will save me when I thus cry, routing all who threaten me.

Send Your truth and lovingkindness; raging lions seek my soul.
Threats and sland’rous words without rest they against me fiercely roll.
Be exalted o’er the heavens, let Your glory fill the earth!
To Your Name all praise be given, let all men proclaim Your worth!

T. M. Moore

Whatever our calling in life, we are sent to bring the joy of Christ to the people around us. Our book, Joy to Your World!, can show you how to fill your Personal Mission Field with more of the Presence, promise, and power of Christ and His Kingdom. Order your copy, as a supplement to our study of 2 Timothy, by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).