CONTINUING
Eddie C Muggleton
We are increasingly made to feel that we are now in "the last days," of which the apostle Paul speaks in his second epistle to Timothy (chap 3), where he reminds us that difficult times shall come. We are not to expect the path to become easier. Indeed, it increasingly becomes a test as to whether we are really prepared in fidelity of heart to the Lord to continue to the end.
In this connection we may well note the apostle's final word to Timothy. Having sorrowfully to unfold much that is connected with the last days (a witness indeed to the public ruin of the church) he exhorts to continue. “Continue thou”, he says, “in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hath learned them”, 2 Tim 3: 14 KJV. Support and power for the testimony will be proved as we continue.
Hence the apostle reminds us, being himself about to depart, how he had continued, and that in spite of Demas having forsaken him and Alexander doing him much evil. He is able to say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”, chap 4: 7 KJV. The earnest desire of his heart for Timothy was that he should be found continuing in the same path.
Such conditions remind us of Elijah and Elisha's day, 2 Kings 2. It is interesting to note that we have not there the twelve tribes, or even two, but two men only who are prepared to go on to the end. In the face of the outward apostasy and public failure Elisha says to Elijah, "I will not leave thee. And they two went on", v 6 KJV.
How encouraging for us in our day! If things were even reduced to two in a locality it would still be possible for us to go on if we are morally with the Lord. For does not scripture say, "For where two or three are gathered together unto my name, there am I in the midst of them", Matt 18: 20?
What a joy it was to the Lord Jesus to look round on the few disciples at the close of His pathway here, and say of them, "Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations", Luke 22: 28 KJV.
Such a path must involve sacrifice, and may lead to suffering. May we all be encouraged to continue to the end, "looking stedfastly on Jesus the leader and completer of faith: who, in view of the joy lying before him, endured the cross, having despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God", Heb. 12: 2. Continuance is the test.
May the Lord give us all grace to continue.
Thornton Heath
From Goodly Words 1932