2 Samuel 4:1-5:25; Micah 7:1-20; Romans 12:1-21
I thank God, whom I serve. 2 Timothy 1:3 NKJV
To serve God, Paul suffered whippings, beatings, stoning, shipwrecks, perilous journeys, weariness, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, cold, nakedness, frequent imprisonments, and threats of death (2 Cor. 11:24-27). He had faced persecution, but Roman laws had protected him (Acts 16:38-39; 21:39-40; 22:25-29). Now being a Christian was a crime and some preached Christ insincerely “to add affliction to my chains” (Phil. 1:16). Now, again imprisoned in
Rome, “all those in Asia have turned away from me” (2 Tim. 1:15). Soon his life would be “poured out as a drink offering” (2 Tim. 4:6).
Nonetheless, he was thankful to be serving his God. Thankfulness
depends on what you value most. —David W. Oliver
Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus, I’ve lost sight of all beside;
So enchained my spirit’s vision, Looking at the Crucified. —M. James