SATURDAY October 2, 2021
A Soldier’s Spiritual Victory
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7
The Apostle Paul was not writing from a place of comfort; he was writing from a prison in Rome. This place was a hole in the ground. It was dark, smelly, wet and humid. In the darkness, rats and other rodents constantly came and went. Yet Paul was not thinking about himself; there was no self-pity in his thoughts. Instead of complaining about the lack of earthly comforts, his mind was set on comforting his fellow believers.
Caesar Nero would soon behead Paul; he knew his days were numbered. Paul was going to die and go into the presence of the Lord. He had fought a good fight and became a living example for believers engaged in spiritual warfare. He knew how to keep his eyes on the Lord while enduring persecution. His last words show his focus was on eternity:
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
Even though Paul faced death, he was excited about a crown awaiting him in heaven. It was his reward for everything he had accomplished for the Lord. In these last days, many Christians struggle to comprehend the trials they are going through. So much is happening in the world today.
As a result, people are facing heavy financial burdens and family issues. Others are experiencing deep, deep grief. Trials such as these can bring a person down to a point of losing hope in God. It is so important to keep our eyes on Jesus and to look at our circumstances in the view of eternity.
...faith is a redirecting of our sight, getting God in our focus, and when we lift our inward eyes upon God, we are sure to meet friendly eyes gazing back at us.
~A.W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
