THE FINAL LETTER.

It felt very heavy after reading Paul's second letter to Timothy. Paul was not living under favorable circumstances at that time. He was in prison, awaiting his execution. We can see him talking about the people who deserted him in his suffering.

In chapter 2, verse 9, he says, "And because I preach the Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained."

In many instances, he talks about the death that awaits him. We can see it in chapter 2, verse 11, and then in chapter 4, verses 6 to 8, which all of us strive to say when the end of our life on earth nears us.

"As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED THE RACE, AND I HAVE REMAINED FAITHFUL."

How beautiful this sounds. These are the words of a man who suffered a lot for preaching the Good News of Christ. In this letter alone, we can see him encouraging Timothy many times about the suffering that he will face in his life for Christ.

When he says the word faithful, it takes me to another verse in 2 Timothy where he says, "If we die with Him, we will also live with Him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with Him. If we deny Him, He will deny us. If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny who He is."

Paul's words clearly point out that he decided to follow and work for Christ in the middle of persecution. In the midst of people who were his assistants in ministry abandoning him, he continued his work. When people thought ill of him because he was chained for Christ's sake, he endured it all and remained faithful to God's work because of the unshakable trust he had in Christ—that HE IS FAITHFUL.

Paul, in his last days, encouraged Timothy, a timid person but one who truly followed Christ. Paul saw the potential in him to lead the church. He encouraged the next generation of rising ministers. He encouraged him to stand for God in the middle of false teachers. We can also see Paul longing to see him in person in his last days. Paul wanted Timothy to do very well.

In chapter 1, verse 6, he says, "I REMIND YOU TO FAN INTO FLAMES THE SPIRITUAL GIFT GOD GAVE YOU WHEN I LAID MY HANDS ON YOU."

Hey friend, may God help us to have a courageous heart to stand faithful to God in doing His work, in preaching the Good News, and in growing the gifts we have to glorify Him with the life we have on earth. May we look at the examples of the great people of God. The Bible says we have a great cloud of witnesses before us. May we learn from them and fight the good fight.

Dear God, we commit our lives to You. What a great testimony Paul has left us. How faithful he was in serving You. How courageous he was in the midst of troubles, in the midst of people deserting him because he was in chains. God, help us to be faithful to You. Help us to stand with true men of God when they need us most. May we equip ourselves and the generations after us to rise for You. Be with us, dear Father.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.