2 Timothy 4:1-2, “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”
We all know that we always have the presence of God with us. I know that, but I don’t always visualize this factor while driving, going shopping, sitting at my desk working, cleaning, or cooking. But the MSG took it a step further and made it more visually alive to me of 2 Timothy 4:1, when Paul says to Timothy, “I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.”
Godlessness is before us more and more. We are living in the last days, as Paul stated in 2 Timothy 3:1-9. Rampant killings are happening weekly. Earlier this week I saw as news notification announced that “stocks fall, oil surges to $120.” I had our annual out-of-town sales meeting this past week, and I reminded myself that Christ could return before next year’s annual meeting. I believe it is a high probability that two other salesmen (who are fellow believers), and I, this could be our last time at this work event should the Rapture occur. That is the ultimate reality I need to focus on and be concerned about, Christ’s imminent return, as I do my best to be thorough in my work while being sensitive to God-given opportunities to share the gospel.
Paul encouraged Timothy to keep on keeping on preaching the gospel. He was to “reprove, rebuke, and exhort,” but he said he was to do it with complete patience while teaching God’s Word. Paul stated Timothy was to keep on challenging, warning, and urging people with solid teaching based on God’s Word and not with catchy opinions. Since he was about to die, Timothy would take over for Paul, and Paul wanted Timothy to step into that leadership role and do it well. As it says, “But you – keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard time along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.” 2 Timothy 4:4-5 MSG.
God is looking over your shoulder as you have challenges in the days ahead. Keep your mind set on Christ and the cross. Speak words of praise and worship to Him, and He will fill you and refresh you with His Spirit, as it says in 2 Corinthians 4:16, “We do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” Reading God’s Word and memorizing it gives us a well that will never run dry. His presence gives reassurance, refreshment, and inner strength. My prayer is, may the beauty of God’s image be reflected in my soul with overflowing peace, joy, and gratitude while enduring the good with the bad, as God is looking over my shoulder, and Christ’s return is coming soon. In Jesus’ name Amen.
Listen to King & Country Fix my Eyes (Lyric Video).