Our reading in Zechariah tells about what it means to be saved by God. We are retrieved from the hands of our enemies, God's enemies. We are placed under his guardianship. He watches over his people to be sure no harm comes to them. He delivers people of various different nations from their enemies. He does this all himself. The enemies are systematically destroyed, though apparently not immediately or he would not have to stand guard over his people.
What do we see about this topic in 2 Timothy 2? Rather a lot, actually, so I won't go into great detail. Observe how Timothy and Paul are both people who get to follow Christ in sufferings. The life of the Christian has its share of suffering. It has its share of attacks. People will say bad things, do bad things also, against us simply because of our testimony of Christ. In our country right now the attacks often run along the lines of statements that Christians are ignorant, stupid, misinformed, antisocial, or a little bit dangerous. In other countries the attacks may be more severe and be manifested as physical persecution. In some places the opposition tends to be through systematically ignoring the Christian faith. It differs in different places. But Christians can expect to have suffering and attacks. Yet in all this, we are exhorted to remember Christ. We confess his resurrection. We put our own desires to death and live to his desires. We confess him in all things. And we know Christ guards us and confesses us before the Father in heaven.
May the Lord use his people in the honorable tasks for God's household.
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