The Spirit Not of Fear but Power

From: Weighty Words: From the Writings of J.N. Darby

• 1 min. read • grade level: 4

(2 Tim. 1:3-8³I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; ⁴Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; ⁵When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. ⁶Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. ⁷For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. ⁸Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (2 Timothy 1:3‑8).)

We are not to expect never to be exercised, or troubled, or cast down, as though we were without feeling.

“They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” (Psa. 69:21²¹They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (Psalm 69:21).) He thoroughly felt it all—the iron entered into His soul. “Reproach,” He says, “hath broken my heart.” (Psa. 69:20²⁰Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. (Psalm 69:20).)
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Paul had a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor. 12:7⁷And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (2 Corinthians 12:7)); and did he not feel it, think you? Ay, he felt it daily; and as “the messenger of Satan to buffet him.” (2 Cor. 12:7⁷And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. (2 Corinthians 12:7).)
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And what did he say? “Most gladly, therefore, will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” The power of God coming in our side does not lessen the feeling to us.
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Weighty Words: From the Writings of J.N. Darby

• Obedience

• How to Know the Will of the Father

• I Will Guide Thee With Mine Eye

• Spirit Not of Fear but Power, The

• Faith Furnished for the Evil Day

• Thoughts on the Experience of Abraham and of Jacob

• Failure of the Sons of Aaron, The

• Altar of Abraham, The

• Sufferings and Praises of Christ, The

• Last Words of David, The

• Heart of Christ About His Own, Poured Forth Into the Heart of the Father, The

• Peace, My Peace

• Fullness of Scripture, The