Teach Us Oh Lord Our Daily Devotions

SUNDAY, 29 JANUARY 2023

TEXT: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

1. You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

3. Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

4. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

5. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules.

6. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

7. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

8. Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel,

9. for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

10. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

11. Here is a trustworthy saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:

12. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

13. If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

(King James Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: STAND FIRM WHEN SUFFERING FOR PREACHING THE GOSPEL

Like a son, Paul affectionately addressed and encouraged Timothy to strive on, not relying on his physical strength but on the grace of God. That was more so because serving the Lord involves hardships which he needed to endure like a soldier.

Till date, genuine ministry still involves hardships and entails sacrifice by the servants of the Lord, one way or the other. Also, like Paul further told Timothy, he needed to serve the Lord in the right way, otherwise he would lose his reward or be disqualified from receiving it at the end, just like an athlete who does not play by the rules.

Success in ministry is often wrongly measured in terms of numbers, wealth and fame which come from preaching wrong doctrines, manipulating and exploiting people for profit. Certainly, this not true success before God. We must be careful to do ministry and preach the word of God in sincerity and truth.

Although, like Paul, we can be chained and treated like common criminals for preaching the true gospel, we should not be discouraged but stand firm and continue the work of the gospel. This is because our suffering on earth is working out eternal rewards for us in heaven.

QUESTION: Are you suffering for preaching the true gospel?

PRAYER: Oh Lord, help me to stand firm in the face of suffering for preaching the true gospel, in Jesus name. Amen.