Scripture:
2 Timothy 2:4 “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer”
Observation:
Paul writes this letter to Timothy from a prison in Rome. He is shackled and lonely. Paul is writing to encourage Timothy in his work.
Application:
What this verse means to me is that those of us serving God should have as our main focus to please God. We are soldiers for Christ. In Paul’s day, if you were in the military your sole focus was to please your commanding officer. You must forget everything else. You march where you were told to march. You fight when you were told to; you eat and sleep when you were told. Your past life and cares were forgotten.
When we choose to follow Jesus, we are soldiers for Christ. Jesus is our commanding officer. We must have this as our sole focus. The cares of the world must be forgotten. We must march on his path and fight his battles. We no longer care about food or rest or the things of this world. Our sole focus is on pleasing him. We no longer get entangled in civilian affairs; we are now God’s soldiers.
Prayer:
Holy Father, I want to be one of your soldiers. It is hard thing to do, to not care for this world. Sometimes my challenges and cares seem so important. I want to keep you as my priority. I trust in you that “in all things you work good for me because I love you”. Thank you for reminding me that this is not my home and that I will be with you forever.