Entanglements

Daily Reading: 2 Timothy 2

Scripture Focus: No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. (2 Timothy 2.4)

Devotional Thought: When I was a child we learned a chorus that went something like this: "I may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery; I may never zoom o'er the enemy, but I'm in the Lord's army. I'm in the Lord's army. Yes, Sir!" We weren't very sensitive to offending others in those days!

While songs of soldiery are a bit frowned upon today, the Apostle Paul didn't have any problem using the analogy. Paul reminded Timothy that the austere life of a soldier was to be the expected lifestyle of the servant of God. Soldiers knowingly and willingly separate from their societies and their families and become part of a highly specialized community. Stripped of their own clothing, they are clothed in uniforms of another's choosing. A soldier comes and goes at their superior officers' bidding. "He sleeps where he is told to sleep and eats what is provided for him." His life is not his own any longer - even to the point of laying down his life for the good of his country.

Are you a soldier of Jesus Christ? Is it your aim to please him? Remember, we are not our own. We have been bought with a price. Let us do as the writer of Hebrews wrote: "Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles" (Hebrews 12.1).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are my commanding officer. I am reporting for duty today. Use me according to your plan. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise; 42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word. 43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules. 44 I will keep your law continually, forever and ever, 45 and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts. 46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, 47 for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. 48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. (Psalms 119:41-48)