2 Timothy 4:9-22; Psalm 119:1-8

2 Timothy 4:9-22
This passage records Paul's final words to Timothy. He asked him to come as soon as possible. Everyone had left him for various reasons except Luke. On the negative side, he mentions Demas who deserted him and Alexander the coppersmith who did him much harm. The others apparently left for legitimate reasons. He specifically asks Timothy to bring Mark with him to help in the ministry. This is interesting because Mark had gone home during Paul and Barnabas' first missionary journey. Paul was highly upset over this even to the point that he and Barnabas parted ways over it. (See Acts 13:13 and 15:36-41) This request for Mark's help shows that Mark had matured and changed and that Paul was willing to give him another chance. This is a wonderful lesson for us not to "write people off" but to give them room to grow up in the Lord. People can change! We must always try to be as gracious with others as God has been with us. In addition, Paul asked Timothy to bring his coat, his books, and his papers. I find this a particularly human touch.

We know that Paul was old, probably tired, and perhaps lonely. But he was not hopeless! He gives testimony in v. 17 that the Lord had stood with him and given him strength to preach the Good News, and he expresses faith that God will deliver him safely into His heavenly Kingdom.

He closes with a few final greetings to and from coworkers in the Lord's work showing us that Paul had forged close and lasting relationships with other believers.

Psalm 119:1-8
This is the longest chapter in the Bible! It deals almost exclusively with the importance of God's Word--so we can't deny that God's Word is indeed of the highest importance. Each section corresponds with a letter in the Hebrew alphabet. If it seems repetitious to you, remember that people in Old Testament times did not have the printed Word of God in their hands as we do, and so they memorized large portions of it. This alphabetical way of presenting this psalm may have been a help in memorizing. But the point I want to make is that the psalm consistently lifts up the Word of God and encourages us to remember and obey it.

This first section tells us the following about what will happen if we carefully obey God's Word.

• We'll be joyful.
• We won't compromise with evil.
• We'll have no need to be ashamed.
• We will thank God by living as we should.