Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
A Passionate Charge to Timothy
Paul is passionate about what he shares with Timothy. He's saying, Timothy, I need you to endure like a soldier. It's imperative, in this particular culture that we are in, that I need you to pay close attention to the Scriptures. I know that you've learned this—how to be godly—from your mother, Eunice, and your grandmother, Lois.
For you moms and grandmas out there, think about this: the Apostle Paul is passionate about writing to Timothy, and he tells him to endure suffering. He knows that there's something in Timothy's life that he learned from his mom, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois. For you moms and grandmas, don't ever underestimate the impact that you can have on a child.
Two Ways to Endure
As we look at 2 Timothy now, we're looking at essentially a passage that talks about spiritual combat. Paul is writing to Timothy about how to conduct himself in the affairs of the church. He's passionate when he gives Timothy two realistic ways to endure.
Number one, he says: endure suffering, because brokenness is real. Right there in the passage he says, "Endure suffering along with me." I just love the stubborn honesty of the Bible. Why should we endure? Because you know, and I know, that brokenness, suffering, pain, difficulty, heartache, confusion, and a bunch of other things are real in this life. Paul says, Timothy, I need you to endure suffering.
I want you to endure suffering with me—with me. I'm right alongside you. I'm not telling you just to suck it up, like I'm some distant apostle who doesn't even know what you're experiencing. Timothy, endure suffering with me. It's going to be okay. One song says we're in this love together—Paul could even say to Timothy, we're in this suffering together. Endure suffering with me, because brokenness is real.
Number two: emulate a soldier. Be ready to march, and be ready to receive mercy when the suffering gets greater. That is incredibly encouraging to me—no matter how hard it is for you, if you have very, very difficult suffering, God gives you greater mercy. He gives you greater grace to endure the suffering. Emulate a soldier.
Our Verse of the Day comes from 2 Timothy chapter 2, verse 3. "Endure suffering along with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus."
We're Not Alone
You don't go it alone. Paul is there with him. It even says, in the verses right before the Verse of the Day, in verse 1: "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and the things you heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable people who will also be able and qualified to teach others."
We're not alone. We're a team. Paul says, look, I'm with you. Endure suffering. Brokenness is real. Be like a soldier. Now, what do we do with this? How can we make this relevant in our life? How can we apply this in our life?
Take Your Pain to the Savior
Number one: take your pain to the Savior who understands. I don't know what you're going through right now—maybe it's physical pain, emotional pain, whatever type of social pain, maybe work pain. There are all kinds of pain that you and I experience. Take your pain to the Savior who understands. The Bible says, in Isaiah chapter 53, verse 3, Jesus was a Man of sorrows. Again, the greater the pain, the greater the grace will be there for your pain.
Look for Grace in the Struggle
Number two: look for grace right smack dab in the middle of the struggle. When you and I have difficulties in our life, the tendency is to think God doesn't want to hear from me—what do I have to say? I've got nothing, I can just lay here, I'm sick, I don't feel well. Even in the midst of that, right in the middle of it, you reach out for grace, and God will be there with you in the middle of the struggle. Paul, in 2 Corinthians chapter 12, was weak—he was hounded by this thorn in the flesh. God says, "When you're weak, I'm strong," and He will be there for you, right smack dab in the middle of what you struggle with.
Labor Like a Soldier
Finally, thirdly: labor like a soldier. In the verses following our Verse of the Day, "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him." Then he says further, "And if someone likewise competes as an athlete, he competes according to the rules." Then he talks about a hardworking farmer who's going to receive his share of the crops—a farmer, an athlete, a soldier. Hard work. Laser focus on how they can please the Lord Jesus Christ. Labor like a soldier, an athlete, a farmer.
You might say, well, I want to do that, but I get tired, and sometimes I feel like my suffering is pointless. Number one, your suffering is not pointless. Secondly, the Bible says, a few verses later, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself." That's grace. That's amazing, incredible, beautiful grace that God gives to you and me when we're suffering.
Let's follow Christ—from the cross, from the suffering, to the crown.
