2 Timothy 1:7 AMPC
[7] For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
The words of the verse above were said by Paul to his son in the faith, a young man called Timothy. It is easy to lay claim to the promises and benefits laid out in the verse above, but, as always, you do not ignore the conditions whilst laying emphasis on the benefits. Both are connected; one feeds the other, and one thrives when the other is also present. Reflect on the verse just before the one above, which says: "I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands". Paul was the man who had met this young man Timothy, mentored him, and helped him with access to the Jews. The gift of God had been stirred up in the young man, and maybe, like many of us will do, he was afraid of how to move forward. Thank God for the man Paul, who helped him through some dark moments, and helped him stand. What is being said of me right now?
What will be said of me when I am not physically present to speak for myself? How many human Iives are grateful to have me in theirs? For all who are created by God, there is a God-shaped vacuum in every life, and only God can fill it to your satisfaction. Men have tried to fill the vacuum with other people or things, ranging from fast cars, mansions, wealth and loose lifestyles, yet they can never be truly satisfied, because God is the only One who can truly satisfy. Men can try to convince themselves that God does not exist, but the clear evidence of His power, presence, purpose and provisions surround us everywhere we turn. He has to take His rightful place in my heart, if my life is to turn out the way He has planned it to. He does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. It has to be a decision from my heart; choosing to submit to and serve God with all my heart. That is the evidence of the love I have for God: I choose Him of my own freewill.
One of the reason why this freewill is critical is for the days of trouble that will come. There is nowhere in the bible that God promises a life free of trials and tough times. He will not promise courage if there was no reason for fear. All the things promised in the verse above reflect value in the face of difficulties. Think of power, and imagine its impact at a time of weakness. When you have no strength of your own, that is when you appreciate the backing of the Man of War. When there is hatred and oppression all around you, this is the love of God makes sense, and helps you to see people the way God sees them, and not the way they have treated you. In the face of provocation too, you are able to keep calm and maintain discipline and self-control, not because you don't have words, but because the Word of God is your guide and guard. God can give the right word, or He can simply be the One to speak in your defence. With God, you have no reason to fear. Without God, everything and anything will make you fear. The choice is mine to make. God's time of favour is here.
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