Thursday February 25, 2021

Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 1:8-12

…Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 

2 Timothy 1:9

Reflection: God appoints His people to a holy calling of service not based on their works, but by God’s desire. He appoints His servants to different capacities and areas in Ministry as He wills, and equips each of them with His Power to fulfill that purpose. He gives them the tools and resources from His heavenly provision. Paul writes to Timothy about having himself completely committed to God’s calling upon his life, and exhorts Timothy to also fulfill this holy calling. While Paul willingly suffers for this purpose, he acknowledges that he has also been preserved by God in order to fulfill his purpose. There is no fear in sight for Paul, since he is assured that God will see His plan for Paul through to its end.

Each of God’s people has been appointed to work in His Ministry; each person is called in a different way to work towards the same holy calling of sharing the Gospel of Jesus. This is an opportunity that we cannot passively allow to happen. Just as Paul actively “share[s] in the suffering of the Gospel,” we must also take on the responsibility of working for the glory of God. As we read from Paul’s life, this is not easy to accomplish. But Paul also reminds us that in our work for God, we are to “[rely] on the power of God” as well. We need not be intimidated by the great call we have to achieve for God, for we do not not accomplish it by our own power. We can remain reliant of the great Power of the God, which is evident in the ways He orchestrates matter, time, and space to see His Will completed.

Prayer: Holy God, I praise You because You are Sovereign. Nothing and no one can move outside of Your Perfect Plan. I praise You because You are Omnipotent. You account for everything, and let not one drop of matter go unaccounted for. Thank You for the assurance of Your Mighty Hand upon my life. Thank You for the assurance of Your holy calling: to be Your child, and to be a herald of Your Good News established by Your Son. Please grant me the boldness that Paul had to proclaim You. Please grant me the courage that Paul showed by enduring all situations, even suffering and death, for Your sake. Help me to live a life fully committed to You. I pray these things in the Name of Jesus my Lord, AMEN.

Thru the Bible in a year (credit: Biblestudytools.com): 2 Timothy 1; Jeremiah 5-6; Psalm 121