It’s a great privilege to be saved and called by the God of all creation. Both Paul and Timothy in our reading today are fine examples of God’s chosen vessels. Paul’s expression to Timothy as a true and faithful son, sheds light to the fact that when we sincerely set out hearts for God and the purpose of His relationship and calling upon our lives, He is bound by His Word to set us aside for divine assignments.

 

Serving the Lord’s true purpose on earth is not an easy task. As the Lord’s chosen vessel, there are lots to learn and understand. In as much as every sincere and dedicated believer of the Lord is chosen and set aside for His purpose, yet the Lord always draws those He want to use for specific purposes for His glory. In the house of Jesse were many boys, but David was set aside and chosen by the Lord for a divine assignment. Not that the others were unimportant, but for that particular assignment He chose to set David aside and ordered his servant Samuel to anoint him.

 

Sometimes amongst believers also, God may choose to set aside and use people we may consider to be the most unpopular amongst us. For 1 Cor.1:27-28 says: “God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important.” He chooses people from varied walks of life for His purpose.

 

Though it is good to be equipped and well versed with various skills, the Lord’s plan for His chosen vessels involve heart- joining relationship and commitment with Him which is clearly assessed and considered by the Lord. Paul’s expression to Timothy in 2 Tim 1:3-4 helps us to know that Timothy has gone through challenging moments yet proved to be faithful. Every set-aside vessel for divine assignment is bound to face challenges, but in all of this, His grace is needed to walk through as we dedicatedly submit to the purpose of His divine calling.

 

We too must remember that when we are set aside or called for His divine purpose, we will pass through unforgettable challenging situations. Paul highlights here how he was deserted by everyone in the province of Asia including Phygelus and Hermogenes. These are not celebrated moments of victory. Yet we know how Paul was successful in his calling and the purpose to which God called him into His vineyard.

 

Despite all of the challenges we have faced or may face, we are encouraged to be faithful and committed in the faith, hold firmly to the true words of assurance and instructions we have received from our Lord and Master. We must always focus on the mark of our high calling (2 Tim 1:9) in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our labor in the Lord will never go in vain (1 Cor.15:58) because he who called and set us aside for his divine purpose, assures us that he will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb.13:5); and above all He knows us by name and we are His!

 

Let us like Paul have the assurance in our hearts: “…for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (2 Tim 1:12)

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Prayer:

LORD Almighty, help me to submit to

Your will and the purpose for which You have

set me apart.  In Jesus name,

Amen.