DEVOTION – DAY 299

2 Timothy 1:6-7 “Confident To Serve”

 

2 Timothy 1:6-7 “For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit of God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self -discipline.”

 

Have you ever felt inadequate? Have you felt shy and wished you were more outgoing? Do you feel discouraged and think you are a nobody? You are not alone if you have such thoughts or feelings about yourself. Timothy was timid by nature and he felt inadequate being expected to lead the church started by Paul in Ephesus. Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage and to remind him that God had gifted him for the work. But like all spiritual gifts, if they are not developed, they will never reach their potential and power. For example, if God has given us a good voice, if we do not train in breathing techniques and regularly practice singing, we will always be singing to ourselves in the shower. We will never get to sing before an audience.

 

Paul reminded Timothy to “fan into flame, the gift of God” – to develop his spiritual gifts. Paul said that God was using him to be the instrument to guide and encourage Timothy. So, Timothy was told not to feel timid because the Holy Spirit would empower him to do what was ahead for him.

 

We know someone who was asked to do something for the Lord. Her immediate reaction was to decline saying that there were surely many others better qualified than she was for the role. She focused on her inadequacies and insecurities. But we had to tell her that God enables those whom He calls. She was told to trust and depend upon God, and never try to achieve it on her own strength. She was reminded that it was not about her, but it was about God using her as His instrument to bless others. And so, we challenged her, by asking her if she was willing to trust and obey God. After much prayer, she reluctantly agreed to do what was asked of her. Some training was given and she learnt to depend upon the Lord. Her confidence grew as a result. She realized that God had given her the basic skill set and she needed the push to develop these skills to serve the Lord.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, please forgive us for looking at our inadequacies instead of looking to You for our enablement and empowerment. Please help us to live confident and victorious lives in submission to Your perfect will for us. We ask this in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. Do you feel intimidated and inadequate? Are you easily discouraged? Are you anxious about trying something new? Will you trust the Lord and depend upon Him as take up this new endeavor?
  2. Who or what is your source of confidence? Will the Lord be your sole source of confidence? He will never disappoint nor forsake you.
  3. What is your natural response when someone ask you to serve the Lord in a ministry? How does this devotion encourage you to willingly serve when asked? Discuss.