Verse of the Day for May 24

Paul writes from a Roman prison, and he knows Timothy is afraid. Standing beside a chained man was dangerous and embarrassing. So he says Be not thou therefore ashamed.

Look at how Paul describes himself. Not Nero's prisoner. me his prisoner. The Lord's. Even in chains he will not let fear name his situation for him.

Then he reaches back past every fear Timothy has. God called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, given before the world began. The calling is older than the fear. It was settled before the first threat was ever spoken.

And he reaches forward too. Christ hath abolished death. The worst thing fear can point to has already been dealt with. Paul does not pretend suffering is easy. He invites Timothy to share in it. But he refuses to let fear have the last word.

When fear speaks first, before the interview, before you tell your family about your faith, before you walk back into the clinic where the diagnosis was given, let it speak. Then answer it with something older.

Your calling does not depend on your courage.

Fear may speak first, but it does not have to speak last.