ARE YOU A "TIMOTHY?"
04th Aug 2021
Paul and Silas had experienced a difficult time in Thessalonica; the Jews had tried to start a riot and even pursued them to Berea; Paul had escaped to Athens, but he was still concerned for the believers he had left behind, and sent Timothy to visit them.
In 1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 (NLT), he declares, “We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith, and to keep you from being shaken by the trouble we are going through.” This set me thinking; am I a Timothy to my friends and those who are going through challenging times? That is my desire and was expressed by a friend we had staying over the weekend. She said, “Being with you has been a real encouragement, has strengthened my faith and stimulated me in the work God has called me too.”
We are living in days when everything around us is seeking to unsettle and shake our foundations. Paul tells the Ephesians, “Be strong in the Lord and in his might power. Put on the full armour of God so that you can take you stand against the devils schemes.” (6:10-11). Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and they are safe.” Direct those you are helping to keep strong with their armour on and the Name of the Lord as their place of safety.
Hebrews 3:13 tells us to, “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today.” As you interact with your friends and family, do you leave them better than you find them? Give them words of affirmation, faith and love. Help them see the value that God places on them.
Timothy was to “keep them from being shaken by the trouble we are going through”. We are living in uncertain times, not only the pandemic but shaking that could unnerve us and cause us to be overwhelmed. Psalm 28:7 says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.”
So, who are you going to be a “Timothy” to today?
by Charles Sibthorpe
