DEVOTION – DAY 417

2 Timothy 1:7 “God Will Equip”

2 Timothy 1:7 “For the Spirit of God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

The apostle Paul wrote the letter 2 Timothy to his fellow co-worker Timothy whilst he was imprisoned in Rome in a dungeon by Emperor Nero. He sensed his time on earth was soon at its end. Paul wanted to correspond with Timothy and hoped that Timothy may see him in Rome before it was too late. Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to continue growing the church there. Paul knew that Timothy may lacked self-confidence and he wanted to encourage him. This verse is thus encouraging for everyone who lacked self-confidence or think they are unsuited to serve the Lord in a particular area.

Paul reminded Timothy, and also us that God has given every believer the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will empower every believer for service, and He is the One who gives us our spiritual gifts to use. Although Timothy was relatively young and he had the heavy responsibility of growing the church in Ephesus, Paul reminded him that he had the Holy Spirit. Timothy had the power necessary to grow the church. The Lord has given him the heart to love others, and the self-discipline necessary to make sacrifices for the sake of others. This also applies to Christians today as well.

I once had to challenge a young man to serve in a ministry that he was unfamiliar with. He gave me some reasons for his initial reluctance. He felt that he was too inexperienced and that he was not ready. I told him that when God called people to serve, He would equip. It is God’s work and God never sets anyone up for failure. I told this young man that he should trust and depend on God for all that he did in that ministry. All he had to do was to remain teachable, committed and willing. I asked him whether he was willing to obey. He thought about it and he later agreed. I am glad that he made that decision because he experienced first hand that the Holy Spirt did give him the power, love and self-discipline he needed for the work. It has been some years since he had served. He had been a blessing to many and he admitted that serving the Lord had been a blessing to himself as well.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for empowering us through your Spirit for service to you. Please help us to always regard serving you as a privilege and blessing and never a chore. We humbly pray in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. Why do people hesitate to serve the Lord when they are asked? What are some typical reasons or excuses they make for not serving?
  2. In the light of this verse, why should the reasons and excuses not stand in the way of people serving the Lord?
  3. What new area is the Lord asking you to serve in and are you willing to obey the call to serve and grow God’s church?
  4. Are you willing to trust that the Lord will empower you to serve?