Keeping the Faith

 Joel 2:23-29; II Timothy 4:6-8,16-18

 These verses bring up themes of devastation but also of deliverance. The prophet Joel talks about a reversal of the misfortunes they have encountered. The drought will be over – rain will come, and they will be full of grain, wine, and oil. They will be repaid for these barren years. Not only have locusts eaten crops – this is also a metaphor symbolizing the three armies which have attacked Israel. For those who kept the faith during these hard times – they shall praise the Lord since they will eat in plenty again. Most important he emphasizes twice; they will no longer be put to shame. Not only that, but afterwards the Spirit of God will be poured out on all flesh – rich, poor, slave, or free. Joel is prophesizing all this to get Israel to keep the faith – they will be delivered from the oppression of other governments.

Paul in Timothy 4 is under arrest of another government – that of Rome. In this letter he is saying goodbye since he sees that the end is near, and he is passing on the mantle of preaching to the Gentiles to Timothy. He tells how his time of departure has come and that he has been poured out as a libation. He is comparing himself to a ritual sacrifice. Yet he is confident that he has fought the good fight. He has finished the race – but most important through all this he has kept the faith. While the faithful in Israel had faith in God’s deliverance – Paul talks about a crown of righteousness to be given to him on the day he departs this earth.

Paul tells how he was alone at his first defense – no one came to support him, yet he wasn’t alone – the Lord stood by him and gave him strength. He was able then to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles. He talks about being rescued from the Lion’s mouth. This is probably a metaphor for the terrible sentences he has already been saved from. He declares in faith that the Lord will rescue him from every evil attack and will save him for the heavenly kingdom. Through all he goes through he is able to keep the faith and give praise to God.

When we go through the dry drought times in our own lives or feel wrongly persecuted by the sufferings that come into our lives – maybe diseases, broken relationships, and losses; may we keep the faith. May we believe that God can bring restoration to our lives with the faith that one day, when we leave this earth, all sorrow and struggle will be over, and we will live eternally with God. Amen

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