2 Timothy 4:1-8
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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.
Devotion
In this text, Paul refers to his life and ministry as “the good fight.” Looking back over his life with Jesus, Paul had no regrets. Rather, he was thankful. Three phrases indicate his awareness of his ministry: “I have fought,” “I have finished,” and “I have kept.” Looking to the future, he declared that a crown was laid up for those who have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. Paul recognized that his life had been a trust from God, and he had been a good steward. He never veered from the great truths and doctrines in the Word of God.
Paul writes this to encourage Timothy to follow in his footsteps and fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith. Psalm 57 is a fight song. We are in a battle that is spiritual in nature. We cannot defeat the enemy with our own strength or intellect. This battle belongs to the Lord. We are foot soldiers and must take our marching orders from the One True King. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:18-20).
Our marching orders are clear! We are to MAKE DISCIPLES who in turn make more disciples. This is what it means to fight, to finish, and to keep the faith.
Questions to Ponder:
How do you know you have fought the good fight? How many other disciples are following in your footsteps as you follow Jesus? Who are you pouring into?
Prayer Points
- Ask the Holy Spirit to draw You into intimacy with Him and then to empower you to run with Him in ministry.
- Pray we will feed and care for those around us. Ask the LORD to make us like Paul who fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.
- Ask the Lord to enable us, His church, individually and corporately to remain rooted and grounded in His word. Ask Him to help us to abide in the vine and allow His word to overflow from our lives.
Suggested Prayer
King of Glory, for endless days we will sing of Your praise because You are worthy. I confess You are trustworthy. You, Lord Jesus, are my Lord and God, faithful unto death. Faithful to lead and faithful to love. Glorify Your Name in and through Your global Church. May the name of Jesus Christ be high and lifted up in all the earth. Glorify Your name though COVID-19. Glorify Yourself in our hearts. We want to be found faithful to You. Cause each of us to shine like stars in the universe as we hold out Your word. Thank You for the amazing people who have poured into my life over the years. Bless them, encourage them, strengthen them, and protect them in You Lord Jesus. Bless those who I have had the privilege to pour into. Grant them greater hunger for You and Your ways. Reveal to me today someone I can walk alongside.
Lord, thank You for Psalm 57. The next time I’m in a battle, I ask that You remind me of the different Fight Psalms, especially Psalm 56. Help me to remember to do what Bob taught us in Your Word. Help me to give my psalm a title. Help me to turn toward You and Your character. Allow me to name the enemy/competition and to be honest and direct with what and how they are attacking and how it is affecting me. Help me to be determined to sing with a heart of faith through the empowerment of the Spirit of God. I fix my gaze on. I pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.