2 Timothy 1:7 God’s Gift of Courage

Posted on Posted in Devotions Tagged with , ,

2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 

The Apostle Paul said to Timothy, his spiritual son, that God’s gift to him consists of Holy Spirit’s unction, God’s love and a sound mind which is self-discipline, sound judgment and self-control.

As such, Timothy is to be courageous and not to be frightened in any way to a shameful state of fear as a result of timidity or cowardice from the enemies of Christ. As a soldier of Christ, the Apostle Paul, a seasoned veteran in arms, exhorted Timothy by a strong prohibition not to be cowered to fear and timidity. And the sense of the text is that he expected from Timothy an affirmative response, to choose to be courageous, trusting God to fight His battles for His glory!

In an earlier verse, he said 2 Timothy 1:6 (KJV)  Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 

He reminded him “stir up” the spiritual gifts, which means literally “to kindle into flame”, to excite into fresh activity, to gain fresh life and courage to the work of God.

The Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote this last epistle, a final word of encouragement to Timothy before his impending martyrdom.

Such courage was also emphasised in the Old Testament to Joshua in the conquest of the Promised Land before the battles begin – Joshua 1:6-7 (KJV)  Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 (KJV)  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. 

God’s Will, God’s Word and God’s Presence would see Joshua through, God’s Spirit, God’s Love and God’s Wisdom Adhered would see Timothy through. In other words, stay in close communion with the Commander-in-Chief, our Lord Jesus, and the battles will be won! Amen.