Bold Endurance

Today is the thirty-fourth day of lent, and the focus this week is on discipleship and commitment.
Let us slowly read and meditate on 2 Timothy 2:1–13.

May the LORD bless the reading of His Word

[1] You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, [2] and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. [3] Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. [4] No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. [5] An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. [6] It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. [7] Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

[8] Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, [9] for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! [10] Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. [11] The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

[12] if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he also will deny us;

[13] if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

for he cannot deny himself.