The Best of the Portals of Prayer

Read: 2nd Timothy 4:6-18 / Psalm 127

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2nd Timothy 4:7

I Have Kept the Faith

There comes a time when even the most faithful of God’s workers must lay down the pen – the work is over. God has other plans. In his second letter to Timothy, St. Paul reveals that he realizes his work is nearly complete. One does not sense regret or sorrow in his words. Paul simply says that the time of his departure is at hand. He has done his best to be faithful to his calling. The race is over. Now it is his turn to be fully comforted by the fullness of Christ’s promises. He will receive the crown of righteousness. One almost sees Paul reaching out for it in joyful anticipation.
Paul wrote these words, not to boast, as though he were about to be repaid for all his hard work and great suffering. Rather, Paul wrote them because Christ would soon fulfill for him the very promises Paul had preached to others. Paul wrote these words to boast in the Lord Jesus, who had done such great things for him.
There is great comfort in Paul’s words for any departing saint. A time comes for all of us when God will call us into glory. What a joy to meet it with the certainty of the apostle. “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness … and not only for me but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

O Lord, who calls and keep us in Christ Jesus, be with us and hold us in the true and saving faith. Amen.

March 30, 2006