For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7
You may have heard today’s verse a lot lately. After the COVID-19 virus struck the world with uncertainty, and the temptation to shrink in fear is real, people of faith cling to this verse. Many point out that Jesus taught about faith in much more trying circumstances than the people of today will ever face.
You don’t need to worry. Jesus says, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). James says, “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). The Psalmist says, “I have been young and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing” (Psalm 37:25-26). Jesus says, “Give and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38).
Present your needs daily to the Lord and ask Him how you can be of help to others. It may be a monetary gift, a simple email with a smiley emoji or a phone call. Give what’s in your hand to give. Pray for the needs of the nation in these difficult times. Pray that God will have His way in current events and in the upcoming election. Consider today’s verse. He gives you power to face each day and to change your situation for the better. He gives you love to be secure in Him and to be able to reach others. He gives you self-control (or a sound mind) to handle each challenge with peace and wise decisions. Rejoice that you have a Heavenly Father, a good Father, who takes care of you.
Today’s Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Luke 12:22-31
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
