2 Timothy 4: 7, 8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith; finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness¸ which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Dear God,
I give thanks, for Your love and strength that always sustains me in the tranquil and the turbulent times. I have found that in all situations You are there, ever willing to hear my praises and songs of thanksgiving, as well as all cries of anguish and cries for help. There is never a time when You are not my all sufficiency and the One who gives me direction. Nothing gives me more inner satisfaction and peace than to be reconciled to You, and living as You ask, and sharing Your love in words and works, as You have outlined for Your children.
It is good to look at the lives and experiences of those written about in the Bible. For example I have contemplated the words of Paul, which he wrote toward the end of a life, given in whole hearted service to You, his God. It seems that he wrote no words of ‘I wish I had done’ but instead, as quoted in our beginning texts, ‘I have fought the good fight’ which all of us who love You desire to be able to say, at the end of a fruitful life for God. We can expect opposition from Satan and his followers, for he will oppose every Christian and the work of all who love God and do as He asks. He never left Jesus our Saviour alone during His human rescue from sin and its consequences for the population of earth. We, as Christians can expect troubles and even persecution. Paul even says we should then rejoice, because we will be able to suffer as did Christ.
Paul himself did not ‘buckle under pressure’, but finished a life of faithful service for the living God, never losing his belief and faith in God, no matter the risk or privation for himself.
In the strength of the Holy Spirit, I and every Christian can follow Pauls example, and have the hope of receiving ‘the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but to all who have loved His appearing.’
Today I recommit myself to Jesus and to live faithfully, and do what You ask of me. Never losing hope or belief in the knowledge that Jesus is coming soon for the righteous people living in Jesus; with His reward with Him.
Amen