Tag Archives: 2 Timothy

Joshua 11, 2 Timothy 1

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In Joshua 11, an army is assembled against the Israelites, described as “a great horde, in number like the sand that is on the seashore, with very many horses and chariots.” Yet God tells Joshua “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give over all of them, slain, to Israel”. Joshua and Israel destroyed this army, “he left nothing undone of all that the Lord had commanded Moses”. Afterwards, Israel received their inheritance and then “the land had rest from war”.

Paul in 2 Timothy 1 also gives advice about fear, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”. Like Joshua and Israel were encouraged not to be afraid because God was with them, so Paul encourages Timothy and us not to be afraid or “ashamed of the testimony about our Lord”. Paul could say “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed… Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard in me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus”.

 

2 Timothy 2

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Paul reminds Timothy that he can “be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus“, and that he should avoid being distracted from being “a good soldier of Christ Jesus“. Like soldiers, we should endure and share in suffering, strengthened by the knowledge that “If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful“.

Paul goes on to tell Timothy “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart“. Let’s follow the advice Paul provides Timothy, knowing that we have been offered “salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory“.

2 Timothy 3-4

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Paul continues his letter to Timothy, describing the method and importance of “training in righteousness“. This training involves following Paul’s example, his teaching, conduct, aim in life, faith, patience, love and steadfastness. It requires us to be ready to “preach the word” at all times, to continue in what we have learned and firmly believed from the Bible, knowing that the instruction contained provides a wisdom far greater than man’s.

Paul also reminds Timothy that, even though he has endured persecutions, “from them all the Lord rescued me“.  Even though “all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted“, like Paul we have a promise of a far better existence. “Henceforth there is laid up 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 loved his appearing“.

It is up to us to demonstrate our love for Jesus’ appearing in the way we live our life today.  Paul was confident that “the Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom“, and we can have that same confidence in following Paul’s advice.

Nehemiah 13, 2 Timothy 2

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Nehemiah is a great example for us to follow.  He takes active leadership in the reformation of Israel, without regard to the potential personal consequences, choosing instead to rely on God.  Throughout the narrative recounting his actions, Nehemiah prays to God, “Remember me, O my God, for good”, highlighting how integral God was to his daily life.

Paul is another example of someone whose faith pervaded every aspect of his life and encouraged others to do the same. “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… If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him“.

Joshua 13, Isaiah 17-18, 2 Timothy 3-4

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“To the tribe of Levi Moses gave no inheritance; the Lord God of Israel is their inheritance”.  The Levites are great examples for us. They stood up for Godly principles, and in so doing received an inheritance greater than the physical land. Forced to rely completely on God for their continued existence, their lives were dedicated to God. Although by Isaiah’s time the people were condemned for not remembering “the God of your salvation…the Rock of your refuge”, the Levites were forced to live a life that demonstrated that trust, by virtue of them not receiving part of the promised land as an inheritance.

That sort of trust in God is important for us to develop, especially as Paul says “in the last days there will come times of difficulty”. We all have difficulties in our life, and together we can help each other overcome those difficulties.  Prayer for each other is an important part of that help, and when we’re aware of specific problems that others are having, I think it’s important to follow Paul’s example and pray for God to help them.

Let us, as Timothy, follow Paul’s teaching, conduct, aim in life, faith, patience, love and steadfastness, that we too might be “complete, equipped for every good work” in our discipleship of Christ.