Get on the Highway

2 Timothy 1.3 Paul emphasises the continuity between the Old Testament and his present work.

He identifies himself as a servant of God in the same tradition as the Old Testament characters. I serve God with a clear conscience as did my ancestors. Paul looked back to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joseph and the rest and saw continuity between their service of God and his. The work of growing the Church – a work that he had drawn Timothy into – was not some personal mission that Paul had invented. It was the same work that God had been unfolding since earliest times. Paul drew strength and confidence – which he wanted Timothy to have – from their place in the great unfolding of God's plan. This is a calling and a work that Timothy should feel secure in. And you should be convinced of its importance too.

We can draw the same security and confidence in our Christian work. We are not struggling to accomplish a brave failure. We are in the direct line of God's people. We are on the highway of God's plan that is forging through every time and generation. Isaiah speaks of this in chapter 35:

8 And a highway shall be there,
and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;
the unclean shall not pass over it.
It shall belong to those who walk on the way;
even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.
9 No lion shall be there,
nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;
they shall not be found there,
but the redeemed shall walk there.
10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return
and come to Zion with singing;
everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
they shall obtain gladness and joy,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Paul's challenge to Timothy and us is: Get onto that highway and advance the work of God in your time.