2 Timothy 4 - 3.27.24
Scripture
II Timothy 4:2-3
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
AND
Psalms 1:1-2
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
Observation
Verses from two different chapters in our reading today reinforce that we need to make a daily concerted effort to be grounded in the Word so we are prepared for whatever comes our way.
Application
Now sure seems like a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine and instead look for the answers they want to hear. But I suspect that has long been a part of our sin nature. II Timothy tells us to be prepared - to be so grounded in the word and attuned to His voice that we are not swayed by the popular viewpoints of the day, that we can recognize God’s truth over the world’s truth, and that we can counsel and encourage others in that truth.
And the fact of the matter is we are not going to accomplish that unless we make an effort to study, memorize and internalize God’s word. Pastor Levi mentioned in his sermon on Sunday that some of us have no problem rattling off a long list of statistics about our favorite sports team (or in my case boring you with lengthy, detailed baking procedures), but we have trouble memorizing Bible verses. The fact of the matter is that we will spend our time and effort on the things we value. What do we delight in?
Prayer
Psalms 1 says blessed is the one “whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” I want to be blessed with the peace that comes with the knowledge of your truth. Continue to nudge me and remind me to put my delight in You above all other things so I can always be prepared to give an answer for the reason for my hope.
- Debbie Dunn
