Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
In our Epistle reading for this week, from 2 Timothy 4, the apostle Paul talks about how he has poured out his life for Christ. At times he found that nobody stood with him. The verses which we passed over discuss those who have left Paul. What is his conclusion? It’s a surprising one. The Lord has rescued him and will care for him eternally. Paul gives glory to God even though he has suffered many trials, including abandonment.
Many times we are tempted to despair. We view ourselves as victims of our circumstances. We focus on the wrongs which have been done to us and around us. We find our hardships beat us down. We look for strength in ourselves.
The Scripture paints a picture of something outside of ourselves - the resurrection of Jesus - which will strengthen us for eternity. The Bible discusses the idea of communion feeding us for eternal life. We find that in baptism and in the teaching of the Gospel we are made disciples to the very end of the age. May we have the grace to see the mercy of the Lord in this age and in the age to come.
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