2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 (NRSV)
Read 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 on biblegateway.com
Verse 6As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. Verse 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Verse 8From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Verse 16At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be counted against them! Verse 17But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth. Verse 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Devotion
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race.” Which one of us could not apply this to our lives from time to time? Between working full time, picking the kids up from school and shuttling them and their friends to soccer practice, making dinner for the family and trying to get enough sleep it feels at times like we are running a race, sometimes a race that will never end. What then does our God bring to this whole tiring situation? When everyone else had fallen away, “the Lord stood by me and gave me strength.”
It is comforting to know that God, and the community of faith, will always stand by us. I am thankful that God has called me, and us, to live together as a community. I know that these fellow followers of Jesus will be here to support me when times get tough, when it seems like the race will never end. Support like that is invaluable; community like that is invaluable.
Prayer
Giving Lord, thank you for the community that you have gathered around me. Use me in various ways to support and love those I find around me. Amen.