Scripture to Read: 1 Timothy 1:18-19a
God gives us commands throughout His Word so we will choose to walk in obedience to Him. As God led Paul to write to Timothy, God allows Paul to give Timothy a very personal word about “the prophecies previously made concerning” Timothy. This reference to the prophecies about Timothy is not known to us today. What God does give us, about the prophecies spoken to Timothy, are also recorded in 1 Timothy 4:14 and 2 Timothy 1:6. We can only guess, but possibly these prophecies were spoken to Timothy by Paul in Acts 16:1-5 when Paul was in Lystra and met Timothy for the first time. Though God does not give us the details, what we do know is that God, through Paul, is reminding Timothy and, of course, us as well, to “fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience.” Fighting the good fight is what we must do daily. We face spiritual battles every day of our lives. God gives us clear direction in Ephesians 6:10-17 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 on how to be prepared for battle each day. God also reminds us that our battle is not a fleshly battle, but it is a spiritual battle with Satan and the demons. If we do not go into the battlefield each day prepared for battle, we will most likely walk away defeated and doubt God’s strength and work in our lives. We must trust Him completely (keeping faith) and live for Him with a good, clear conscience.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about the daily battles you face?
2. How do you prepare for the battlefield each day so that you can be victorious through Christ’s strength and His Word?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!