Jeremiah 51:15-64, 2 Timothy 4, Proverbs 9:13-18
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I
have kept the faith. 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.”
In 2 Timothy 4:7–8, Paul writes to Timothy at the church in
Ephesus, reflecting on his life as a believer in Jesus Christ. Paul compares
his life to a race and a fight against spiritual forces. This letter was
written during Paul’s second imprisonment, shortly before he was condemned and
executed in Rome. Even then, Paul knew that God the Father would reward him
after his death.
I love Paul’s image of the believer’s life as a race. If we
are in a race, it means we need endurance and commitment to stay strong in our
faith. We must remain vigilant against anything that distracts us from our
prize. I think about times in my own life when I was focused on accomplishing
something that took a long time. To reach my goal, I had to stay constantly
focused because it was so easy to get off track or lose motivation. I had to
keep reminding myself what I was striving for to make it through the
struggles—the good times and the bad—that come with pursuing a long-term goal.
In the same way, if we think about our life as believers in
Jesus Christ as a race, then whenever we get distracted, we can refocus by
remembering our true goal.
For me, that goal is to one day hear God the Father say,
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” When I keep this goal in mind, I find
it easier to let go of stress and distractions that don’t serve that purpose. I
often ask myself, Does this situation help me become a good and faithful
servant of the Lord? If it doesn’t, I ask the Holy Spirit to help me release
it. When I’ve done this, I’ve been able to let go of things that once caused me
stress and heartache. My life has become much more peaceful as I remember that
my purpose is to be a good and faithful servant of Jesus Christ.
If these verses stir something in your heart today—if you
feel a pull to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who brings peace to
your life—this could be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him out
loud in prayer. Tell Him that you trust Him, that you desire to walk with Him,
and that you welcome His presence into your life. Father-God is faithful, and
He stands ready to meet you right where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for
all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart
that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is
my Lord and Savior. Right now, I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of
salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made
new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of
Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit-filled, full-Gospel,
Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s
love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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