Endure Hardships As A Good Soldier

Paul encouraged Timothy to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ in 2 Timothy 2:3.  I read a devotional by Rick Renner this morning and this was his topic, which I think is very timely for today.  Much of this is written in my own words and some of what he wrote is not included in this Tidbit.

Timothy was a young man and the pastor of the largest church at the time; a time when Nero was on the throne in Rome.  Because of Nero, there was terrible persecution taking place among the believers and many were deserting the faith.  Many in his congregation along with some of his leaders were going back to their old lifestyles, trying to save their lives.  It was a time of turmoil and Timothy was struggling with what was taking place.  Many of Timothy’s friends deserted him, not wanting to have anything to do with him anymore.  It was a very hard time for the Ephesian Church and their Pastor.

This could apply to anyone that is going through difficult times as they follow Jesus.  In many parts of the world today persecution is the norm and believers and those who are in the church have to face it every day unless they choose to defect and go back to their old lifestyles.  The persecution showed that many in the church were not as committed as they pretended to be, crisis reveals the genuineness of people’s faith.  

Think of the thoughts that Timothy might have been thinking because he was the leader of this large church.  Maybe he thought that Nero would try to make an example of him and what kind of death would he have to suffer, he could have been thinking thoughts that could have brought fear and stress on him.  I don’t know for sure but it was a time when he would have to stand strong in the faith and be an example for others to follow.  Many of us could not even imagine what Timothy and the church was going through but if things continue the way they are, we may have to suffer persecution also.  If this takes place we will also have to stand strong if we are going to be faithful to our Lord and Savior.

Read what Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1-8, “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

  

Are you waiting and longing for Jesus’ appearance?  If you are, praise the Lord, it may be sooner than you think!  When Jesus comes back, whatever we suffer will be worth it all.  If Jesus does count us worthy to suffer for Him, He will be with us.  We know this because of what it says in Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

If Moses spoke this to Joshua and to all Israel at the time, they being His people, I believe it is for His children today also.  We may have to put these words into practice also so be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them.  Something to think about!  Have a super day and may the good Lord bless you and yours!