This morning’s sermon text once again finds the Apostle Paul dispensing fatherly wisdom to Timothy. He warns the
young pastor not to become embroiled in foolish controversies (vss. 16-17, 23), but instead to ground himself in God’s
Word (vs. 15). If he were dispensing his advice in the present day, I can imagine him using some of the language in this
morning’s hymns and psalms. He might point out that all who truly know the name of the Lord “place their trust in
the Word of truth.” He could observe that those “with whom God’s Word abides” are joyous, and that “when we walk
with the Lord, in the light of His Word” our way is filled with glory and fellowship. He might urge us to turn to the
Scriptures in times of confusion or concern, praying from the psalms, “Teach me, O Lord, Thy way of truth” and “O
Lord, teach me to follow You.” He might encourage us that a firm foundation has been laid for our faith “in His
excellent Word.” Perhaps he might even comfort us with the hope that, though the church might be torn by schism
and distressed by heresies, Christ has made us a new creation “by water and the Word.” —Henry C. Haffner
