"Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus" - 2 Timothy 2:3 (NIV).
The Apostle Paul often drew illustrations of certain areas of life to emphasize a point. For example in 2 Timothy 2:5 he notes, "Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules". Paul used this metaphor of athletes in several other places (I Cor 9:25-27; I Cor 9:24).
One other area he normally referred to was of soldiers. In 2 Timothy 2:3 he notes, "Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus". You and I may ask that aside from athletes why was Paul also drawn to use the imagery of soldiers, who specialise in war. For example in Ephesians 6: 10-11, he notes, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." He then goes further to urge to " Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (vv 17).
The use of this warriors imagery was not far fetched. Almost from inception God's people have been involved in battle against the forces of the enemy. The Israelites have from time to time to fight for every inch of their territory on this day. In preparation for his ministry Jesus went up to the mountain and fasted for 40 days to draw power to fight off the enemy.
As a believer you have no other but are part of God's army involved in a mighty battle "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (vv 11-12). You are already conscripted in God's mighty army. Paul urges each one of us not to relax, but like good soldiers to be always on guard, and ever ready to "extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (vv 16).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as a soldier in your good army I pray to be always on guard and ready to fight off the enemy against all his dirty schemes and feeble attacks, this I pray in Jesus's name.
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
