2 Timothy 4:9-13 Timothy, please come as soon as you can. Demas has deserted me because he loves the
things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia,
and Titus has gone to Dalmatia. Only
Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to
me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to
Ephesus. When you come, be sure to bring
the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my
papers.
According to the chapter subtitle, these are from Paul’s
final words. I wonder what it would be liked to be memorialized for all times
as one who deserted Paul! Yet Paul seems to take it in stride. Until the end he was thinking about how to be
in ministry.
One of my favorite hymns is by Isaac Watts. “I’ll Praise My Maker While I’ve Breath.” It draws from Psalm 146.
“I'll praise my Maker while I've breath, And when my voice is lost in death, Praise shall employ my nobler powers; My days of praise shall ne'er be past, While life, and thought, and being last, Or immortality endures.”
John Wesley played a prominent role in preserving this hymn as we know it today, slightly adapting four of the six original stanzas. Wesley strengthened Watts’ first line of the hymn which originally read, “I’ll praise my Maker with my breath.” Wesley included it in the first hymnal published in America, the Charlestown Collection of Psalms and Hymns (1737). Its appearance in every Methodist hymnbook since 1737 attests to its popularity. J.R. Watson noted: “In its shortened and less threatening form, this hymn was greatly loved by John Wesley, who died singing it.” I think if that song has been around in Paul’s day he would have died singing it also. We let so many things distract us. Our faith is there, but often it plays second fiddle to the things of this life. Yet when we’re gone, the things of this life will go to someone else and God will be all that remains along with the results of our works – good or bad. O that we would have the faith commitment of Paul, Isaac and John.
“I'll praise my Maker while I've breath, And when my voice is lost in death, Praise shall employ my nobler powers; My days of praise shall ne'er be past, While life, and thought, and being last, Or immortality endures.”
John Wesley played a prominent role in preserving this hymn as we know it today, slightly adapting four of the six original stanzas. Wesley strengthened Watts’ first line of the hymn which originally read, “I’ll praise my Maker with my breath.” Wesley included it in the first hymnal published in America, the Charlestown Collection of Psalms and Hymns (1737). Its appearance in every Methodist hymnbook since 1737 attests to its popularity. J.R. Watson noted: “In its shortened and less threatening form, this hymn was greatly loved by John Wesley, who died singing it.” I think if that song has been around in Paul’s day he would have died singing it also. We let so many things distract us. Our faith is there, but often it plays second fiddle to the things of this life. Yet when we’re gone, the things of this life will go to someone else and God will be all that remains along with the results of our works – good or bad. O that we would have the faith commitment of Paul, Isaac and John.
Dear Lord, forgive us our distractions. Help us to center our lives around you as you
center your love around us. Bless us
this day and may we in turn be a blessing to others. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
Have a praise filled day,
Paige
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