God Strengthens Us To Fulfill His Purposes
Devotional Contributor: Joe Haddad
Scripture:
1 Timothy 1:12 “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service.”
Observation:
This letter was written by Paul for Timothy (Paul’s disciple, mentee & missionary), in order to advise his young coworker, Timothy, concerning issues that were arising at the church of Ephesus. Paul called Timothy his “son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). In this letter to his young protégé, Paul exemplified the leader-as-mentor role that is so crucial in building tomorrow’s leaders. He also outlined qualifications for leadership that are as applicable today as they were in the early church.
Paul: An Example of the Effect of the True Gospel. The reference to being “entrusted” with the “gospel” (1 Timothy 1:11) lead Paul to give thanks to God for this manifestation of grace to him. This is not, however, merely a personal aside for Paul. The discussion of Paul’s conversion and commission also illustrates the transforming effect of the gospel (1 Timothy 1:5) in contrast to the uselessness of the false teaching. Paul gives thanks because Christ was willing to appoint him to service in spite of his past sins. Paul marvels that God graciously considered him worthy of trust (Greek pistos translated here as faithful) in spite of the fact that he had been unbelieving. Paul is also thanking God for giving him strength. Paul was beat, persecuted, put in prison, mocked among other suffering during his missionary life as a Christian. All the while, Paul drew his strength to carry on from God. To that end, Paul is giving thanks to God.
Application:
Our strength comes from Jesus. Do we recognize that our strength is from Him? Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13 that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Do we call upon the Lord when we need strength? Are we regularly thanking Christ Jesus? Are we exercising our faithfulness? We get strength when we drop to our knees in worship to recognize Jesus as Lord, and thank Him for saving us from death and sin, and giving us eternal life! Do we have the thankful heart that Paul demonstrates in 1 Timothy? Do we recognize Christ Jesus as “our Lord” as Paul writes in this verse?
Request:
Dear Christ Jesus, thank you for giving me strength. Thank you for dying on the Cross in my place. Thank you for giving me faith in you. Thank you for calling me your disciple and charging me to share the Gospel and to Make Disciples. Thank you for the Holy Spirit, which dwells inside me and strengthens me when I am weak. “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10. May Your strength be my strength for every task and assignment. Thank you, Lord. Amen.