Day 350

December 16th
2 Timothy 2:1-4:18.  “Sending Forward the Spoken Word”
         Every time I read Second Timothy I can’t help but be reminded that these were Paul’s last words.  I can’t imagine how young Timothy must have read them over and over.  As Paul sat alone in the cold Roman prison waiting his execution, he knew they were his final words (4:6).  It’s wonderful to read Paul’s conclusion; “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful” (4:7).  Try and picture yourself at the end of life.  Could you look back and know as Paul did that you had been faithful to God’s call and that you had finished the race well?
         Paul’s spoken word had been powerful, true and honoring to God.  He finished well.  However, the spoken word was to live on.  Paul was passing the torch.  As he wrote he mentored young Timothy.  Beyond that, Paul essentially mentors each of us through his teachings, words, examples, etc. 
Paul’s life has a way of emboldening each of us to live, speak and teach the Word of God for the glory of God.