Monday, June 26, 2023.
International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
A CLEAR DEMAND
Read: 2 Timothy 2:3
2 Timothy 2:3 AMP Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
MEMORISE: You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3)
EXPOSITION
In 2 Timothy 2:3, Paul writes, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." Being a Christian necessarily entails embracing suffering or persecution. In today's world, we have plenty of preachers and Christians alike who only embrace all the benefits Christ brings but reject God's gracious invitation to participate in the sufferings of Christ.
While it is true that Christ's death and resurrection brings us a lot of benefits, it is equally true that being a Christian entails some form of suffering. This is not talking about self-mutilation or self-inflicted pain to try to impress God or for our prayers to be answered. No; embracing suffering cannot earn us any righteousness before God. We must recognise righteousness is simply a gift from God received through faith. Why then must we embrace suffering? The simplest, and yet most profound answer, is simply because that is what Jesus, our commanding officer, did. In John 15:20 Jesus said, "Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also." Anyone who has undergone military training knows how tough it is to be a good soldier. They train hard so that they are fully prepared for the day of battle.
Whether we like it or not, there is an on-going spiritual battle and as soldiers of Jesus Christ, there will come severe times of trials and tribulations. Let us set our hearts aright from this day forth to live purposefully and doggedly to please only Christ our commanding Officer. How ready are you to suffer as a good soldier for Christ? On no account should you fret going through dreadful situations, provided you are on the Lord's side.
SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY: CAC GHB 814
1. Storms do not alarm me,
They Sometimes must cease,
Trials cannot harm me, for I have
blessed peace;
All I've left behind me, I long for no more
Chorus:
Better things shall find me on
Canaan's shore.
Let those who will stay in Egypt land,
I am bound for Canaan,
Where milk and honey flowing,
Shall every need supply;
Peace and joy my portion,
My soul shall rest on its shore by and by.
2. Troubles do not fret me, they cannot abide.
Though they may best me, in
Jesus, I will hide,
All the world's commotion about me may roam,
There's no stormy ocean on
Canaan; shore.
3. In grace abiding am trying to stay.
In the shadow hiding of Canaan's perfect day
AlI trust may fail me, 'twill matter no more.
Nothing can assail me on
Canaan's shore.
Amen.
PRAYER POINTS:
1.Lord, thank you for the example of suffering you have shown me through your suffering and death.
2. Lord, help me to endure every suffering you apportioned to me as a Christian soldier.
3. Lord, help the ministers of God passing through suffering stage or the other to overcome.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: Psalms 69:5-71:16
