II Timothy 2:7
“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. ”
This short verse speaks of an incredible promise of God. God says to us, as Paul wrote to Timothy, that if we consider His Word, He will give us understanding in all things. Can you imagine that? If we spend time thinking upon, meditating upon, and lingering in His Word, giving it careful consideration, God will give us the answer to all things. The answer to every problem we may have, every circumstance we may find ourselves in, every difficulty in our relationships with our friends or spouse, every one of the events in our lives, is found in the pages of God’s Holy Word. His Word is the key to our daily lives.
To consider God’s Word means to spend time in it. We must study it daily and thoroughly that we might come to ” rightly divide ” (II Timothy 2:15), or correctly understand, its truth. Like the food we eat every day to keep our bodies running, we must take in God’s Word daily to keep our walks with Him running. Deuteronomy 3:8 reminds us that man does not live by bread alone, but by the Word of God. God’s word was sweeter than honey to David (Psalm 119:103). Job thought that God’s Word was more important to His daily existence than his ” necessary food ” (Job 23:12). We cannot walk a daily life with God without feeding our hearts with His Word.
We must commit God’s Word to our memory that the Holy Spirit might use it to ” teach [us] all things, and bring all things to [our] remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you ” (John 14:26). As we hide His Word in our heart, He can continually bring it back to us, continually use it to teach us, and continually bring it to our minds when we need it. With God’s Words dwelling in our hearts (Colossians 3:16) we will be rich in wisdom.
We must meditate upon His Word. In the Psalms, David speaks of mediating on the law day and night (Psalm 1:2), meditating while in his bed during the night watches (Psalm 63:6), the sweetness of his meditations on the Lord (Psalm 104:34), and meditating on God Word when he was sleepless (Psalm 119:148). When God appoints Joshua to lead the Israelites after the death of Moses, God speaks to Joshua of the importance of meditating on His Word. ” This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. ” The key to Joshua’s successful journey, as to our successful life journey with Christ, is to have His Word ingrained in our hearts, that we may think upon it often, and that it becomes part of us. Then, God will use it to lead, guide, and direct us through life.
We are promised in 2 Timothy 2:7, that when we consider God’s Word, He will give us understanding in all things. We have discussed what it means to consider God’s Word, now we see the results of that consideration. ” Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee ” (Psalm 119:11). With God’s Word hid in our hearts, we will know how to respond to temptation. If we find ourselves in a situation where we are faced with a decision, we can call upon God, and the Holy Spirit will bring to mind those scriptures that will help us to make that decision (John 14:26). Without His Word in our hearts, we will base our decisions on our desires alone and not His. Quiet simply, it is easy to obey God when we know His laws. ” But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it ” (Deuteronomy 30:14). With His Word in our hearts we know what obedience requires.
As Jesus answered Satan with scripture during His temptation (Luke 4:4), our answer to Satan’s attacks should be the very Word we have written in our hearts. ” For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart ” (Hebrews 4:12). With God’s Word, we are a powerful foe of Satan. Satan cannot stand against God’s Word. If we resist the devil, using the Word we have stored up in our hearts, he will flee from us (James 4:7).
When we have a situation in our life for which we cannot find a solution, we must turn to God’s Word and to prayer. Matthew 7:7 tells us that we can be confident that if we ask for and seek understanding in any situation it will be given to us. If we approach God’s Word, confident that we will find the answer to our situation, He will give us that answer. ” Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof ” (Matthew 6:31-34). If we seek God in all things and in all situations, understanding will follow. Knowing Him and His Word equips us for every aspect of our life.
” Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things ” (II Timothy 2:7). Think upon, meditate upon, and linger in His Word and the Lord will give you understanding, for the answer to all things is found in His Word. Write His Word upon your heart and mind. Remember, this verse doesn’t just say that the Lord will cause you to understand His Word, but that His Word gives you understanding in all aspects of life. God’s Word holds the answer to all of life’s questions.