Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Sat, 19 May 2007 13:44:49 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (May 20); BP: II Tim. 4:6-8; RBTTY: Jn. 6:45-71; I Chron. 10-12
May 20 “The Pilgrim’s Cry of Victory”
“For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the
faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown or righteousness, which
the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day—and not to me only,
but unto all them also that love His appearing.”
II Timothy 4:6-8
When faith has been our forte and dedication to duty our “modus
operandi,” we can also declare today’s Manna as our own.
The Apostle Paul knew he was not long for this world when he penned
this shout of victory. His life had been a full one—particularly since he
first met the Risen Lord on the road to Damascus that day (Acts 9:1-19).
However, by the time he wrote this second letter to Timothy, he was sitting
in a prison cell in Rome, knowing that he would likely be executed because
of his faith in the near future.
Thus, we should read these words with hushed voice and quiet heart as
we try to put ourselves in his place. Although his wording is pretty
ominous—“For I am now ready to be offered (killed) and the time of my
departure (death) is at hand”—the tone of his words were both calm and
expectant.
He used the Greek word “analusis” for “departure” and it is the picture
of a soldier folding up his tent, preparing to mobilize. It also is the
picture of loosing a ship from its mooring as it prepares to set sail at
sea. And, when you couple it with the following two verses, it’s easy to
see that these were not the despondent words of a depressed man. A thousand
times no! Instead, his are meditative musings as he looks outward, backward
and upward.
Although he knew our Lord was capable of releasing him from prison as
he’d done for Peter that night in Jerusalem (Acts 12:3-19), this aged
Apostle was ready to meet his Savior face-to-Face. That’s why he could say
“I have fought a good fight.” Like a boxer, he’d not won every round;
however, as a “Champion for Christ,” he knew victory was assured.
Likewise, this same faith enabled him to say “I have finished my
course.” Notice he said “MY course,” not “THE course.” Paul knew that
everyone of us run a different race; yet, even then each one leads straight
to Jesus, the “Door” by Whom we are granted access into the Celestial City.
Thankfully, Paul didn’t end there, but added “I have kept the faith.”
Oh, dear Pilgrim, nothing is more important in life than this: “Keeping the
faith.” So many professing pilgrims are “fair-weather Christians.” They
bold and strong when times are good; however, when adversity comes they're
nowhere to be seen. How wonderful to know that “the crown of righteousness”
awaits everyone who’s been born from above and lived his/her life for the
glory of God. And, it is this blessed assurance that should cause us to
lovingly look toward the eastern sky each day, wondering if today could be
the day when we finally see Him. Glory!!
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