ODJ: Faithful

July 6, 2016 

READ: 2 Timothy 4:5-8  

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race and I have remained faithful (v.7).

My wife was quiet and sincere—a behind the scenes kind of person. She taught and mentored students in her home church in the 1980s and 1990s. But she chose not to retire from that ministry. And over the past 10 years, she continued to teach and mentor the children of her former students. In fact, she ministered to two generations of believers in Jesus within the same family. All in all, 40 years of faithful service.

Since October 2012, my wife bravely fought late-stage cancer. After two major surgeries and many rounds of chemo, she finally succumbed to the dreadful disease. On 2 August, 2015, Lay Keng, my wife, companion and friend for the past 29 years, took her last breath and entered Jesus’ presence.

The 3 years Lay Keng battled cancer were very difficult and filled with pain. But she didn’t stop caring for others—even in the midst of her sickness and suffering. Clear-minded about the work God had given her, she remained steadfast, for she wasn’t afraid to suffer for her Lord (2 Timothy 2:5). She strived to serve Him faithfully because she loved Him deeply.

Lay Keng’s favourite Bible verse was 2 Timothy 4:7. It truly dictated how she chose to live her life: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race and I have remained faithful.” Lay Keng did her best to fulfil those words, something we should all aspire to do: Be faithful to the end.

Rejoice with me. My wife is now with the God she so loves. No more pain. No more sickness. No more suffering. God Himself has wiped away every tear from her eyes (Revelation 21:4). Lay Keng may have had cancer, but cancer didn’t have her. God held her in His hands and now has her in His arms! What a faithful, loving God He is.

—K. T. Sim

365-day plan: Matthew 11:1-30