Day 10: Notice When it was Written.

Notice when it was written.

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.

Reflection

2 Timothy is the final letter of the Apostle Paul to his ‘son’ in the faith, Timothy. Imagine getting a letter from your pastor, mentor or friend and knowing that this is the last time you will hear from them before they die. You would value their words, cry and weep and take note of every instruction. That is what we have here in the letters of Timothy! So, when Paul says ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race’, it’s not just a metaphor but the words of an aging apostle, in prison, well aware that he is about to be killed for Christ. Knowing the time in Paul’s life that these letters were written saddens and inspires me. Will I be able to say these words at the end of my life, will I run the race and fight the good fight to the end? 

Question

How much more do you get out of the books by knowing when they are written and what is happening at that time?

Prayer

Father, let me run the race before me with faith and strength. Let me, just as Paul did, get to the end of my life and be able to say that I fought the good fight and I finished my race. Thank you for the faith to keep running, the wisdom to stay in my lane and the strength to keep the faith.