2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage.....with great patience and careful instruction."
I have been training a young lady at work, training her for another center. But as I have been training, I always find I learn also. Training requires a lot of patience. As they learn, it can be a slow progress for they want to do things right. They strive to make sure they are correct. Look at something, think about it, then do it. They study, they test, and when they get the answers right the first time, so jubilant. When they have to redo a test, still happy when they pass it, but with a more serious note. As if to say, perhaps, well, I did not get it right the first time, but now I have learned it twice; I won't forget. Patience endures as they learn for you can see the end result down the line.
O, Father, this is a little different from what I thought earlier when I got this. You have moved this down a different road and the Light is so bright on it.
I had thought this would be about our patience and reflecting on the patience of the Lord as we learn like little children. The Lord has something different in mind tonight. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15. Some translations say "Study to show thyself approved.."
We must constantly study the Word of God. Unless we continue with our studies into His Word, there are times we will fail the test. Do you know that the Lord knows ahead of time that we will fail the test one or two times before we get it right? That's why He encourages us to study, to read, to ingest His Word into our minds, our hearts, our spirits. Each time we fail at something, we need to study, we need to seek the Lord, asking the Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us to the truth. Then when the test comes again, we can stand firm when the challenge comes against us and we can walk through, this time with success, this time knowing we have correctly handled the truths that the Lord has shown us. The Word will rise up in us and be delivered according to His good purpose.
When we are presented with an opportunity for witness, or a time we can truly testify to our Lord's goodness, His saving grace, we can speak with authority, we will be confident in what comes out of our mouths for we have studied, we have sought the Lord for His strength, and we have been given the Word of our God to speak in His Name. Enduring patience with ourselves as we study, fail, study, learn; as we become victorious in the work the Lord gives us. Patience with ourselves that just because we get something wrong the first time, perhaps even the second.....but as we study and learn we will be victorious. Victory in Jesus, our goal. We can only get there through diligent study of His Word, seeking the Lord always and yielding to the Holy Spirit, who knows what the end result will be.
The end result....."Well done, my good and faithful servant; well done...Come, come and abide with Me." I so want to hear those words from the Lord, my God. Don't you?
Thank You, Father, once again for Your truths, for Your touch on my life. I love You.
04-25-12
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