Be Strong

Devotional Contributor: Pastor Tim Spirk

“…Be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:1, NLT)

Have you ever had a season or even a moment when an opportunity presented itself or an opposition faced you and you felt ineffective to act, speak or influence the situation? I have. When this happens, our first instinct can be striving to make something happen or freezing from lack of knowing how to respond.

In 2 Timothy 2:1 (NLT), Paul says, “…be strong through the grace that God gives you in Christ Jesus.” He doesn’t tell us to find the strength within, but lean into His. Strong means to be empowered, using the same word we have for dynamite. Paul is telling us we have an explosive power placed inside of us to use at any moment. This strength doesn’t come because we deserve it, but because He freely gives it to us—that’s why He says it comes through His grace. That’s great news! It’s not about ME, but about HIM! I just have to partner with Him.

Wherever you go and whatever doors open for you, remember you don’t go alone. You are strong and He is with you providing what you need in the moment—a word, power, strategy, compassion, wisdom, authority, etc. All this and more is available to us through Him.