Daily Devotions – Times of Difficulty

Daily Devotions – Times of Difficulty

Image by Ralf Mühe from Pixabay

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

2 Timothy 3:1-9 (ESV)
Godlessness in the Last Days
3 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9 But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

 

When have you looked godly but lacked a true heart for God?

 

Eternal Father, the reading for today haunts me. I see this godlessness running rampant in society. Help me to recognize people who have the ability to taint my behavior and feelings and avoid them. Protect me from the effects of evil. Help me to not burn out and get tired so that I say the Words of faith but lose my heart for You. Help me to not become lazy in my faith because I am worshiping online and am not actively involved in church or service. The stay at home orders steals joy and strips away purpose and significance. Help it not drain my heart. Give me a pure heart so that I do not stray from You. Let me stand up for You and not cower from the opposition. Strengthen my faith so that I consistently follow Your will. Give me the stamina to finish the race true to You especially during times of difficulty. When I am under attack, help me to meditate on Your Word and find delight in reading the Bible. Help me to be different from those in society and allow my words and actions to reflect You and not the world. Fill me with Your Spirit so those around me hear You in the words I speak, and see You in the things that I do. Let them see You in me. Amen