Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:11-14
Sitting in a cold, wet dungeon while awaiting his execution, Paul had been deserted by many. Many shunned him and the ministry he had been called by God to preach. He had been sent into the gentile nations to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only hope of salvation. In the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the law had been fulfilled. The gospel message was man’s only hope of salvation. Light had truly come into the world; yet, most men shunned the light and rather chose darkness. Because of his preaching, because he had done what God commanded him to do; Paul now sat in this cold, damp dungeon cell with only the light that would pierce through the hole cut in the roof. Yet, from this prison cell; Paul considered himself God’s prisoner. Everything was God’s will being carried out.
Much more than himself, Paul’s mind and heart turned to the care of this young preacher, Timothy. Oh, Timothy; my dearly beloved son in Jesus Christ. Paul saw the heart of this young preacher and did not want the flames of passion for Christ to diminish as he watched his mentor in prison. Paul was more concerned for Timothy than he was himself. Should that not be the case for all of us? Should my life, my speech, my thoughts be more concerned with those whom I teach than my own feelings?
To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, 2 Timothy 1:2-3
He was not Paul’s real son; however, Paul loved him with every bit the compassion as though he were his son. Paul, knew that in these trying times the only source of grace, mercy and peace was God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. If there were any hope for Timothy to remain filled with peace and strength, it would have to come from God himself. Paul was even aware that it was God’s Holy Spirit indwelling him that gave him the power to pray night and day. It was God who placed Timothy ever present on his mind that he should be in continual prayer for him. Who has God placed on your mind to pray for day and night without ceasing? Thank God that He has placed that person on your heart. Praise God for the mighty work that He is getting ready to do in their life! Whether that be that God is going to bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ or as Paul prayed in this case, that God strengthen them in their ministry. Either way, Paul was certain that God would complete that which He had committed to Him in prayer.
When God places a particular person on your mind to pray for them; do so with diligence. Lift up scriptures on their behalf and know with certainty that God will complete the work He has begun in them.
When Paul wrote, ” for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”; I firmly believe he had 3 things in mind. I also believe that as you recognize these three it will empower your prayer life, your faith, and your joy in all things.
1. Paul had no doubt as to his eternity. Paul had committed his life to Jesus Christ and had no doubt that his eternity would be in the presence of his Savior and Lord. Paul did not trust his own ability; he trusted God’s power, grace, and love.
2. The ministry which had been given Paul was God’s ministry, not his. Though Paul would never again be able to see the fruits of that ministry here on this earth; Paul knew that God would accomplish His purpose from that ministry. Paul had committed the ministry into the hands of God to whom it really belonged.
3. Dear Timothy, whom God had placed so heavily on Paul’s heart for prayer. Paul had committed Timothy and his ministry into the hands of God. Paul was fully certain of this one thing: God would accomplish in Timothy all that He had planned as well and all that God had laid upon the heart of Paul to pray for.
I may not fully understand the mystery of how prayer works in the plan of a Sovereign God’s rule; but, I am to pray for those whom God lays on my heart.
[bctt tweet=”Prayer is God’s Conduit to Perform His Mighty Works of Grace through us.” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]My labor for the gospel is never mine, it is God’s to do with as He will[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”God will complete the work in me & in those He has laid upon my heart to pray for” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”Watch & See the Mighty Work of God in the Lives of Those He has called You to Pray for” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]Who or what have you committed into the Hands of God today?[/tweetthis]
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.