Our Eyes on the Horizon

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Opening Prayer

Teach me today, Lord, what it means to live in You, to rest in You, and to hope in You.

Read 1 TIMOTHY 6:11-21

^[11] But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ^[12] Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ^[13] In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you ^[14] to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^[15] which God will bring about in his own time-God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ^[16] who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. ^[17] Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ^[18] Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ^[19] In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. ^[20] Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, ^[21] which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“It becomes us to spend this life as a journey toward heaven… Why should we labor for or set our hearts on anything else, but that which is our proper end and true happiness” (Jonathan Edwards).

Think Further

The pace accelerates. Paul provides Timothy with another charge—a call requiring an energetic response. “Flee,” “pursue,” “fight,” “take hold” (11,12). We, too, must take this call to heart, but in a wider perspective. We are called to eternal life (12). In contrast to yesterday’s passage, with its warnings about the temporary values of this world and the perils of chasing down the blind alley of materialism, today we see our lives in relation to three important truths. First, we stand in God’s presence (13). We are accountable to him, serving under his watchful, fatherly eye. This injects seriousness into our actions and attitudes. We are not first working for a human employer, or serving the Church, or seeking approval or acclaim from others, but are serving in God’s sight, responsible to him.

Second, we anticipate Christ’s return (14). Our work is set within the frame of God’s purposes, and we live in the knowledge of Christ’s return. Paul is certain this will happen but uncertain when. This should not paralyze us, for God will bring it about “in his own time” (15). For many believers around the world, living under pressure and with few of this world’s resources, this perspective is life-transforming.

Third, we remember God’s greatness. Paul moves into a doxology, reminding us that the God whom we serve is immortal, inaccessible and invisible (16). Remembering the nature and purposes of the God who has called us brings the assurance of security. Trusting him, we have no need of the uncertain resources of this world (17), for we have all we need. It is summed up for Timothy, and for every reader of this letter, in the closing words: “Grace be with you all” (21). If we have that grace, we have more than enough.

Apply

How might you live each day with a conscious awareness that you are serving God under his watchful eye and caring presence?

Closing prayer

Father, I thank You that my life has meaning and purpose in You. I’m thankful that, in You, I have something to live for and to die for.

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