There are many activities my kids simply won’t do without me: Meeting new neighbors, walking across a narrow log, flying on a plane, riding a roller coaster to name a few. I wish they were more daring, but at the same time, I like being the source of their strength. In 2 Tim 4:17, “The Lord stood at Paul’s side and gave him strength.” But how does this work? I am physically there to hold my kids hands and whisper comfort in their ears—in what way did Jesus stand by Paul’s side, and how did Paul receive strength from it?
I often touch on suffering while I preach, and I confess that I myself struggle understanding—much less explaining—in what way God is with us and helps us in our suffering—what difference that can possibly make? But now I understand that this short letter of 2 Timothy, written late in Paul’s life, gives us the answer.
Paul shows us clearly through his writing that strength comes from an eternal perspective, knowing that just as Christ has overcome death, Paul knew that—in Christ, he would too. It is as if—no, Jesus is standing beside Paul with his arm around him, pulling back a curtain, revealing a glorious view of what really and truly lies in store for Paul, ready for him to simply walk in and receive the prize.
Look through Paul’s eyes at what Jesus is revealing by pulling back the curtain during the very experience of Paul’s suffering: In 1:10, Christ has brought “life and immortality to light, in 1:18 Paul is looking ahead to that day, in 2:8 Paul relates (equates?) the gospel directly to the resurrection of Jesus. A couple verses later, this is why he can endure hardship—for salvation and eternal glory. In chapter 3, he writes of terrible times in the last days preceding the return of Christ.
Perhaps the most powerful sign that Paul is looking ahead and receiving strength through this eternal perspective comes in 4:6 and following: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering and the time has come for my departure.” Paul knows he is going to die soon, and this is his last letter. But he follows immediately—not with sadness and despair, but with the exact opposite: “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will award to me on that day!”
And finally, one of my favorite verses, which reminds us that the presence of God in our lives is no empty comfort, it is not just in our minds, it is no mere sentiment. 4:18 reads, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.” Here, physical death has absolutely no meaning for Paul. It is at most a door to walk through. No, it is a mere reminder that this life we now live is more like a dream in comparison with that life which is truly life and which awaits us who long for His appearing. For Paul (and potentially for us), Jesus has shattered our well-defined, puny conception of getting old and dying at about age 78.5; Jesus has opened up the reality, and the view of, untold thousands of years, upon untold thousands of years…which we will do in the prime of our lives.
God, to you be glory for ever and ever, Amen!
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