Today's Devotion: Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus (The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. 2 Ti 2:3)

It is interesting that Paul, here, compares Christians with soldiers. And yet, when one thinks of obedience, the soldier is that which first comes to mind. A soldier is one who always obeys and who is willing to endure hardship for the cause and for his or her commander.

Today's Comments: It is interesting to see this passage after our discussion at our bible study, last night. We were discussing the fruits of the spirit and the fruits of the flesh, as as found in Galatians. We ended up at Jesus' last discourse, before the betrayal, in which Jesus prays that His disciples be protected from the world. And yes, all of Jesus' disciples would have to endure hardship --- most of them would suffer more than we could ever imagine. Like them, let us pray that we may be good soldiers, fighting for God. And may God grant us the wisdom and the stamina to resist the prince of the world, Satan and the will to be obedient to God under all circumstances.