OUR DAILY BREAD 16 JULY 2024 DEVOTIONAL, TUESDAY ODB MESSAGE
Our Daily Bread 16 July 2024 Devotional TOPIC: News Worth Celebrating
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 2:8-13
KEY VERSE: Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him. 2 Timothy 2:11
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Psalms 16-17; Acts 20:1-16
TODAY’S INSIGHT
As Paul states in today’s text, he’s suffering in chains for his commitment to the gospel of the risen Christ. Yet he endures those things on behalf “of the elect”—those who haven’t yet received the message of Jesus (2 Timothy 2:10). Yet, even in chains, the apostle’s heart seems filled with hope, seeing death as the pathway to true life (v. 11). All his hope is rooted in one overriding principle—the faithfulness of God.
He’s faithful to keep His promises always and perfectly (v. 13). Even though Paul is restricted and chained, he has confidence that nothing can chain the gospel (v. 9), and it will accomplish its good work in the hearts and minds of people who hear it. As you get deeper into 2 Timothy, it becomes clear just how powerful Paul’s hope is, for not only is he in chains, he’s facing imminent death (4:6).
Our Daily Bread 16 July 2024 Devotional MESSAGE
For more than two centuries, the hymn placed first in the Methodist hymnbook was “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing.” Written by Charles Wesley and originally titled “For the Anniversary Day of One’s Conversion,” the song was composed to commemorate the radical renewal sparked by his faith in Jesus. It has eighteen stanzas proclaiming the glory of God’s goodness to those who repent and follow Christ.
Such faith is worth celebrating—and worth sharing. In 2 Timothy 2, Paul encourages Timothy to remain steadfast in his faith and to persevere in sharing it. He noted, “This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal” (vv. 8-9). Rather than second-guess his choices, Paul reminds Timothy to remember the good-news message: “Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David” (v. 8), came not to rule but to serve and ultimately to die for the sins of the world so that we may have peace with God. Death didn’t win. Jesus rose from the grave.
And just as it set free those who believe, the message itself isn’t bound. “God’s word is not chained,” said Paul (v. 9), not even from places where death seems to have won: prison cells, hospital beds, gravesides. In Christ, there’s hope for all people. That’s news worth celebrating!
REFLECT: How do you celebrate the good news of Jesus in your daily life? Whom can you share this good news with?
PRAY: Father, thank You for saving me and giving me opportunities to share the good news with everyone.
Our Daily Bread 16 July 2024 Devotional, Tuesday ODB Message. Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet.