2 Timothy_3
Scripture
2 Timothy 3:1
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
Observation-What does it say?
Paul is writing this second letter to Timothy from prison. He had been released, but, then under the rule of Nero was imprisoned again. This time, instead of being held in house arrest, was in a dungeon with little access to the outside world. Realistically, Paul is looking at the end of his life coming to an end and he may be writing a goodbye letter to Timothy, with whom he held a relationship like a father and son. At this time, Paul’s only crime is that he has proclaimed the word of God, and Jesus as the Messiah. “That “the last days” in this passage does not refer only to the time just prior to Christ’s return is apparent from Paul’s command to Timmothy to have nothing to do with the unbelieving and unfaithful people who characterize this time (v. 5).” (Kruidenier, W., Zondervan NASB Study Bible, 1999)
Understanding-What does it mean?
One of the highlights of almost every year of my childhood was going to church camp. From about seven years old, through the end of high school, I looked forward to the week of adventure away from my parents. As the saying goes, “What happens at camp, stays at camp”… or maybe that wasn’t camp. I still look at those weeks with fondness and a longing to go back.
When I got older, I got to be a part of the junior high and high school camp, which was amazing. The high school camp had a way better campus which included archery and a ropes course. One of the obstacles in the ropes course was called “The Centurion.” The centurion was a pine tree, which you climbed 100 feet off the ground, on these four inch steps, to a platform that was four feet wide and four feet long. And if that isn’t bad enough, they tell you to jump off the platform to a trapeze that is tethered between two trees.
Despite my terrible fear of heights, I decided I had to do this obstacle. It was extremely fun climbing up, because I never looked down at the ground. But, when I stood up on the platform and took the time to look at what I had accomplished, I suddenly remembered I was afraid of heights. And just like that, I lost complete trust of two things, the safety harness I was wearing and the person holding the rope attached to the safety harness. After several minutes of complete panic, I remembered that I had seen about ten people ahead of me make it to the ground safely.
Often, I react to life this way. I ask God to take me to places I have never been. I tell him I want to trust Him and pray for amazing things to happen in life. But, when I take a minute to look around, realizing that I need to trust God for things like finances, safety, and health, I go into complete panic mode. But time and time again in scripture, God tells us “I got this.” He has seen countless people go through these fears before, and He has brought them to Him. No matter what happens here on earth, once this life passes, if I am faithful to God’s word, I will see him in the afterlife. In Matthew 10:28-31, Jesus tells his disciples, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”
Life Application
Jesus, help me to leap into what I fear. For I fear the unknown that you have called me to. Help me to be like Abraham, who left home without knowing what the destination is. For the only thing that can suffer in not following your call on my life is me. Your plans are sure, and I know that even when the flood waters arise around me, You will carry me through the waters of life. Help me to surround myself with people who are striving to hear you. Help me to seek your Word every day in a way that will let Your glory be seen.