Wednesday 31 December 2025

Psalm 124

Background
This is a letter from St Paul to fellow missionary Timothy. It is difficult to imagine the impact of some of Paul’s words on the Early Church. We have had 2000 years to assimilate doctrine, dissect individual words, read nuances into phrases and attempt to understand the context of any particular passage.

If you read the opening words of this letter, “To Timothy, my beloved child” (v. 2) you can feel the warmth of a father figure imploring a rather timid young man to “rekindle the gift of God that is within you”(v. 6). Paul was aware that, for some in the early churches, the first flush of enthusiasm for the good news of Jesus was waning, often in the face of persecution. The leaders that Paul had left in charge of small congregations needed his continuing interest and mentoring.

Timothy is probably still in Ephesus, after Paul had left him there as a leader of that fellowship. Paul had received reports that all was not well, that the church was not growing and that some had deserted the faith. So this letter is written to encourage Timothy to be bolder, not in his own strength, but in “relying on the power of God” (v. 8) to share the good news of Jesus and his saving love for all.

The three verses that make up today’s reading are basically a call to Timothy (and perhaps to all church leaders) to feel proud to have been chosen by God to pass on the message of God’s gracious love to others. This role will involve suffering, but God’s power will suffice as it is all part of the divine purpose. God’s love for humanity has always been there, but it needed Jesus to come to live, die and become immortal among us to reveal the depth of God’s love. This love is revealed in mercy and forgiveness, and can be experienced daily by faith in a gracious and accompanying Jesus.

Part of the context of this letter to Timothy may well be that some early Christians were turning away from the Church, becoming impatient for Christ’s second coming. Paul’s teaching is very clear in writing that God’s saving grace “has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus”(v. 10). The incarnate grace of the living God was already present.

To Ponder:

• Think of people who have been important in your Christian journey. What influenced you? Was it their words, their actions and lifestyle, a profound integrity in daily living out their faith? As they have encouraged us, may we be an encouragement to others.
• The hymn suggested for today is Michael Saward’s confident 'Christ triumphant, ever reigning' (StF 319). Just as confident, but expressed differently, is Charles Wesley's 'Father, whose everlasting love' (StF 320). Pick out a verse from either hymn to meditate upon today to encourage your faith.

Prayer
Today we pray for the Christian leaders known to us. May they reveal Christ to all around them. Amen.

Bible notes author: Michael King
Michael is a Methodist local preacher in Salisbury and was Vice-President of the Conference in 2012/2013.