2 Timothy 4:1 (ESV)
I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to
judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus . . .” That
statement in itself is worth some serious consideration. Paul is writing
Timothy. They are not in the same location. Jesus has ascended to the Father
and is no longer walking the earth. I’ve heard people comforted by the thought
that they are looking at the same moon at the same time as a loved one. That
somehow connects them. But this is far more. Paul and Timothy both are in the very
presence of God and of Christ Jesus. This speaks to the omnipresence of God. No
matter where you go, he is there. It also speaks to the omnipresence of Jesus who
has had a human body since his miraculous conception yet remains fully God and
as such is omnipresent. Wherever you are, there are the Father and the Son.
That alone is enough to charge Timothy to proclaim the Word. That truth motivates
us to faithfulness. It also assures us that whatever we are facing, wherever we
find ourselves, the Father and the Son are there. We do not walk through this
alone. It is the assurance, comfort, and encouragement of Psalms 139. Verses
seven and eight say,
Where shall I go from
your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee
from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven,
you are there!
If I make my bed in
Sheol, you are there!
Wherever I am, whatever I am doing, God is there. For the unbeliever that is
a terrifying idea. For the believer it is assurance, and comfort, and encouragement,
for you are not alone.
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