Emphasis Preaching Journal

Paul urges Timothy to be persistent in proclamation of the gospel, in favorable or unfavorable times. As parents, we often urge our children to be persistent in their various activities of life. Indeed, many of the stories we read to our children have persistence as a theme or subtheme.

Consider the fable of "The Hare and the Tortoise." The tortoise, in a very unfavorable race, persistently moves toward the goal. The tortoise never gives up, despite the snickers of the crowd and the sneers from the Hare. The tortoise reaches the goal.