19
A Passive Strength
John Tilton1 Timothy 1:18-19
Timothy, my son,I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you,so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,holding on to faith and a good conscience,which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.
I love Paul’s encouragement to Timothy. In Paul’s desire to see Timothy realize and reach the Lord’s call on his life, that Paul’s advice would be encouragement in faith and a good conscience. Note that it wasn’t encouragement of authority and power whereby Timothy would take control of matters and situations, but instead that Timothy would hold on to his faith in the Lord and a good conscience. Paul’s encouragement initially seems like a passive and soft command; but when realizing that Paul is in actuality encouraging Timothy to do all things through the Lord and his faithfulness in the Lord, and that Timothy should simply be of good conscience, it becomes a powerful command and statement since everything would be through the will and power of God. He wouldn't need to take matters into his own hands, but would rely on God’s will, God’s plan and God’s ways.
I can see that tendency in me sometimes where I feel that I have to take control of a situation to make it happen, find the best resources and professionals to do the work or even influence situations to the extent that I can. Yet, I know in some situations, I will need to rely solely on the Lord Jesus Christ, and know that I have a good conscience on my life and my part in the matter. Good conscience is a peace that I’ve done what was asked of me, was obedient to the Lord, and that with prayer and supplication, I let my request and situation be known unto the Lord. Then, although my plan may seem passive by seemingly only standing on faith in the Lord, it is instead so powerful being in the Lord’s hands. The phrase of “the battle is the Lord’s,” is very applicable in this teaching.
Dear Lord, thank you for teaching me that often times, the battle is yours and that you call me to stand down and look wholly to you. This was the exact situation that you brought me through recently where I did not initiate the situation, nor have control over it. Yet, I knew that my only resolve was to get on my knees in prayer … and your faithfulness in answered prayer was profound
