Daily Scripture
“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.”
Philippians 2:17-30
devotion
In 2024, our lives feel like they are constantly in motion. Young, middle-aged, or later in life, we all have something that’s “up next”. Whether it be a ball tournament, a luncheon with friends or whatever it may be we are all busy with life. There is nothing wrong with being busy. In fact, these things give us a chance to serve. While our busy lives may give us a chance to serve, we must consistently be ready to serve.
In Philippians 2:17-30, Paul is still serving God even while waiting for his hearing with Caesar, which ultimately could put him to death. Paul is sending Timothy to the Philippians to minster in his absence. Timothy is so faithful and Christ-like that Paul is willing to send him to minister in full faith as he sees no one else fit.
We should all strive to be like Paul and Timothy. Even with death staring Paul in the face, he is still willingly and obediently serving the Lord whole-heartedly. Timothy’s character is a direct reflection of his faith, as ours should be as well. We should minister to others as Paul ministered to Timothy, knowing that we can leave someone in full faith to share the Gospel with others. Even the lesser known Epaphroditus was willing to do the work of Christ and serve Paul even though he was so ill that he almost died.
Seth Parr