More of Paul's Characteristics (2 Tim. 3:11)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 8-31-02

 

My Worship Time                                          Focus:  More of Paul’s Characteristics

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  2Timothy 3:11

 

            Message of the verse:  “11 persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me!”

            Persecutions:  “1377 diwkw dioko dee-o'-ko

A prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb dio (to flee; cf the base of 1169 and 1249); TDNT-2:229,177; v

AV-persecute 28, follow after 6, follow 4, suffer persecution 3, misc 3; 44

1) To make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away

2) To run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after

            This definition comes from the Strongs Concordance. 

            Paul is continuing his thoughts on his characteristics from verse ten.  Paul is encouraging Timothy by reminding him what he has gone through for the cause of Christ.  I believe that he is telling Timothy that he will go through these same types of troubles and he wants him to remember that through all of Paul’s troubles “the Lord rescued me.”   

It seems to me that Timothy needs these encouragements, as we all do, because Timothy is timed.  In the first chapter of this book Paul told Timothy that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.”  The word for fear could be translated as timidity.

Spiritual meaning for my life today:  One of the biggest battles that I face each day is fear, and this letter to Timothy from Paul has given me encouragement to deal with this problem.  I have quoted the verse that I wrote in the last section many times when I have become fearful over IBS.  The Lord has rescued me from that situation on many occasions, which has given me encouragement.

 

The Word of God was encouraging to me today as I read and studied it.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  I want to have faith that the Lord will rescue me from the fear of IBS as Sandy and I go to fellowship with our Sunday school class at the ball game this evening.