November 6, 2025 - 1 Timothy 2

Paul begins chapter 2:  “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2:1-4).  A good reminder that the grace of God extends to all sorts of people, those in high and low places, the rich and the poor, all races and ethnicities, people all over the world.  We pray for people, indeed, those who rule with authority so that we can live in peace, quietly, godly and dignified.  But we also pray for people because God’s grace is wide, his mercy extends to people who are like us and who are not.  It will be amazing, one day in heaven, when we stand in the midst of God’s people made up of rulers and subjects, high and low, educated and illiterate, wealthy and poor, from every tribe and language and nation.

O that the world might taste and see

the riches of His grace!

The arms of love that compass me

would all the world embrace.

Thee I shall constantly proclaim,

Tho’ earth and hell oppose;

bold to confess Thy glorious Name

before a world of foes.   -- Charles Wesley (1749)