TODAY’S BIBLE READING:
Jeremiah 48:1–49:22
2 Timothy 4:1-22
Psalms 95:1–96:13
Proverbs 26:9-12
TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):
2 Timothy 4:1-2 “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
REFLECTIONS ON TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE(S):
The letters that the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy were deeply personal. As we read First and Second Timothy, we cannot help but see that Paul had a deep love for this young preacher. Paul felt the need to continue to instruct him so that Timothy could be a useful tool in the hands of an Almighty God.
One theme that appears in these letters more than a few times was that Timothy needed to “man up.” Paul knew that Timothy would probably be timid when bullies came into the church and preached error so he told him to stand up to them (1 Timothy 1:3). He knew that Timothy was probably anxious about people looking down on his youth so he told him to let no one despise his youth (1 Timothy 4:12). Paul knew that Timothy was dealing with fear so he told him that God hadn’t given him a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). In fact, I wonder if the very difficult nature of Timothy’s task was the reason that he had stomach problems that led Paul to prescribe some medicine (1 Timothy 5:23).
So, we aren’t surprised when we read in Paul’s final recorded letter that he encourages his young protege to “preach the word!” Sometimes, that meant that Timothy would encourage people. Sometimes, Timothy would have to preach from God’s Word about a topic that would rebuke people who were in sin and needed to make some adjustments.
This is one of the primary jobs of a pastor / preacher (Acts 6:4; 1 Timothy 5:17). He is to stand regularly before God’s people and speak to them on God’s behalf. But, the content of his words should not be from his own limited reservoir. He should speak to them from God’s Word.
And his ultimate aim is to present God’s people to Him on the Day of Judgment as people who are fit for Heaven. Not only are they saved – they are righteous, clean, holy.
So, support your pastor in his preaching ministry. Give him time each week to get alone with his Bible and God to study. Pray for him during the week. Pray for him as he stands to proclaim God’s Word. And pray that God would give him a harvest for his work.
Matt’s Musings 