At the end of the day, I sometimes will take stock of how the day went. Did I get everything done that I wanted? Could I say it was a good day? People often do that at the end of the year. Did they finish the year well, completing all they set out to do at the start? These questions might go through one’s mind at the end of their life. Are they satisfied with how they lived their life? In our Scripture today from Paul’s second letter to Timothy, Paul was in his last days before his execution. Let’s take a look at how he felt about his life in his final days.
Throughout his ministry, Paul had been arrested and imprisoned several times for preaching the Gospel. Some of those imprisonments were more like house arrest, where he was able to have visitors, send letters, and accept gifts to meet his needs. Other imprisonments were much rougher, where he was in a dungeon and chained. This final imprisonment was like that. This letter Paul wrote to Timothy was his final letter, and here in our passage, he gives his thoughts on how he felt his life went.
Although Paul had been beaten, stoned, and imprisoned, he never lost his faith (vs. 7). He had been able to accomplish through God’s power, all that He had called him to do. Paul was determined, if he had the opportunity, to continue on with the ministry God gave him.
One of the things that helped Paul carry on was knowing that God promised a Crown of Righteousness to him and all those who are eagerly looking forward to the return of Jesus (vs. 8). Those who qualify for this crown anxiously look for Jesus’s return daily. They live each day, loving and anticipating His imminent return. They conduct their earthly lives with eternity’s values in view. Those who have fought the fight, finished the race, and kept the faith will be given the crown of righteousness, as Paul received not long after this.
As Paul continued, he shared with his young, frequent companion Timothy how things were with him. Paul was accused of preaching the Gospel message of Jesus, was arrested and imprisoned, and had to appear in court. If ever someone has to go to court, it is a bit easier and comforting to have someone there with them, someone wishing them well, giving them moral support. It was no different for Paul. There were fellow Christians in Rome. He had others who had worked in the ministry with him. Yet at this very difficult time Paul found himself standing alone. He mentions several names of people he would have hoped would be with him, yet they weren’t (vs. 10-12). Demas had been, at one time, a close associate of Paul’s (Colossians 4:14, Philemon 24), but now he had turned away. He was a fair-weather disciple, who did not count the cost of genuine commitment. Demas loved worldly values and worldly, sinful pleasures. He loved what the world had to offer, such as wealth, power, and pleasure. Some others, such as Crescens, Titus, and Tychicus, Paul sent away so that they would be able to continue spreading the Gospel.
Paul wanted to see the friendly, caring face of his protégé, Timothy, again before he left this earthly life. He urged Timothy to come, and bring Mark. He asked that he bring his cloak in order to keep warm in the cold, damp dungeon he was in. Even more importantly, though, Paul wanted Timothy to bring copies of God’s Word (vs. 13). In his final hours, having a copy of the Bible to read was most important.
We will run into various people who will turn against us in life, and to try to do us harm as we work for the Lord. Alexander was such a one as that to Paul (vs. 14). However, rather than ask Timothy to find a way to bring him similar harm, or worse, Paul left all vengeance in God's hands. He did warn Timothy, though, to beware of him (vs. 15). As the old proverb goes, “Forewarned is to be forearmed.”
As Paul closed, he sadly related to Timothy that when he had to appear in court for his defense, everyone had forsaken him (vs. 16). He was all alone. Sometimes we may feel that way, as well. Yet, like Paul knew, he was not really alone. The Lord stood with him (vs. 17), and he was able to proclaim the Gospel in the highest court of the world at that time. Though human support had fled from him, God stood with Paul. The Lord never leaves nor forsakes His children (Hebrews 13:5). When all else fails, the Lord stands solidly at our side, giving us strength. We can always rely on Him.
Though friends and family may leave us, Jesus will never abandon us. He is faithful, and will never leave us (Deuteronomy 31:8). Knowing this, we need to focus on the finish line of our life. Don’t quit. Run the race with endurance, as Paul did. God is watching, and cheering us on as we fight the battle, and strive for the finish line.
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