DEVOTION – DAY 506

2 Timothy 1:7 “Be Strong In The Lord”

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

Have you ever lacked self-confidence? Have you been fearful about your abilities and questioned whether you were able to cope at something that was out of your comfort zone? If you have, be encouraged because this verse will be of help to you. Everyone experiences times of self-doubt about their own abilities when they are outside of their comfort zone. It is a normal human response. 

Like us, the apostle Paul’s assistant, Timothy also lacked self-confidence. Paul had even asked the people of Corinth to treat Timothy kindly when he visited the city of Corinth because of Timothy’s timid nature. But Paul reminded Timothy in this verse here that Timothy had the gift of the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit lived in him. God’s Spirit would empower Timothy. The Holy Spirit would enable Timothy to show Christ-like love to the people he ministered to. The Holy Spirit would encourage Timothy to be self-disciplined when he faced temptations and distractions. Paul wanted Timothy to know that he need not be timid in carrying out his ministry to others because he was not doing it alone. He was doing it with reliance and dependence upon the Holy Spirit. This is also good advice for us.

We know someone who had a marketing job. As part of her job, she was required to entertain and serve alcohol to potential customers. She was fearful of being in situations where some customers may be drunk. It was something she did not want to be responsible for. After praying to God about this problem, she found the courage to speak to her boss about her concern and how serving alcohol that might lead to drunkenness conflicted with her Christian values. Her boss was understanding and allowed her to be exempted from this duty so long as she could bring in the sales. Because she honored God, this woman has been doing well in her marketing job.

We also know someone who has his own business. He wanted to honor God in his business. So, he has always sent in his quotations based on his best price and never offered any bribes to secure new business contracts. Again, God honored him with orders despite having to compete against competitors who regularly offer bribes to secure jobs. This man has found strength and self-confidence with the help of the Holy Spirit to do what is right.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the Holy Spirit who strengthens us when we are weak and uncertain. We humbly ask for your help to always strengthen us and empower us to serve you wherever you have called us to. We pray this in the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

1. Are you lacking in self-confidence and fearful about doing something that is out of your comfort zone for the Lord? Share.
2. Will you seek the Lord’s help through prayer and will you obey Him in what you are called to do?
3. Share of a time when you had to do something for the Lord and you were fearful? What happened? How did the Lord help you?
4. Will you see the times when you are called to be out of your comfort zones as opportunities to depend upon the Lord?