The Word Of The Lord

PresbyCan Daily Devotional

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. (ESV)
It was a typical Sunday morning with a full house ready for worship. The singing and music were uplifting, the prayers were heartfelt, and God was obviously moving by His Spirit. What wasn't typical was the fact that I had had an unusually long, stressful week, and the sermon didn't go as well as I had hoped, both in preparation and delivery. By God's grace, I made it through the service and walked to the main entrance to greet the congregation as we shook hands and encouraged each other at the beginning of a new week.
As the final few people were leaving, a prominent member of our congregation looked me straight in the eye and said, "Well, that's the worst sermon I have ever heard you preach." He was right, of course, but I don't remember my response, if there was a response. I do remember feeling emotionally exhausted and humbled as my mind raced in all directions to come to grips with what I had just heard. By the following Sunday, I had come to the conclusion that rather than being a failure for me, this was a wake-up call. I didn't quit the ministry, but rather chose to be back in the pulpit to preach the Word because I had received a charge from God to do so.
In today's verses, Paul was encouraging Timothy to preach the Word even when the truth is awkward, difficult, or resisted. Timothy was to focus his ministry on communicating God's revealed truth as the Holy Spirit guarded his heart and mind while he maintained complete patience and teaching to reach their hearts.
Paul was reminding both you and me that serving as a pastor, ministry leader, musician, singer, usher, children's worker, or whatever we do in Christian ministry, we are to do it as a child of God enjoying a healthy relationship with Him, which becomes the foundation for everything which flows from our ministry.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name as we gather in prayer to express our heartfelt gratitude for pastors and all those who tirelessly serve Your people. We ask for Your grace to renew their sense of purpose each day. May their steps be guided by Your divine wisdom, and may they find strength in Your Word through the Holy Spirit. We thank You for all those who are involved in and support Christian ministry and for the profound impact that they have on our lives as they navigate the challenges of ministry. Grant them a clear vision of the lives they touch and the life-changing role that they play. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!