For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him.

2 Timothy 1:6-12

Have you ever been awakened by the quiet in the early morning hours? You realize the air-conditioning or heat is off at home and that your neighborhood has suffered a power outage. It is not a huge problem, but an inconvenience. It may have felt like a disaster taking a shower with no heat or power, but it really wasn’t.

Think about how many times we rush into the day without spiritual power. We spend more time reading the paper than the Bible. Talk radio replaces listening to the Spirit. We react to difficult people and circumstances in a spirit of fear. We must appear as spiritually unkempt as a person who got up, showered, and dressed simply because the lights were not on.

Most power outages at home are short-lived, but the lesson remains of our need to begin each day by seeking the LORD. His strength is not for my success or my well-being, but so I will glorify Christ by living in His power.

The human spirit fails us, unless the Holy Spirit fills us.

Our Daily Bread – July 29, 2004