Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 2 Timothy 2:7
          Paul is writing his last letter to Timothy to encourage his heart, bolster him in his calling – pass the baton.
          Paul knows his time is fleeting. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come” (4:6). He is passing along to Timothy some choice morsels to keep him going. I want to encourage you to read the entire book as Timothy would have.  It will take you about 15 minutes to read the short chapters. I would imagine Timothy read it and reread it until the edges of the pages were tattered. 
          Paul tells Timothy to think over what he says for the Lord will give him understanding in all things (2:7).
          I could imagine Timothy’s concern about when Paul dies who would continue to teach him and give him direction. Paul was his spiritual father. Paul calls Timothy his beloved child (1:2). Paul is reassuring Timothy that God Himself will give him understanding in all things. 
          I don’t know about you but I feel like there is way more I don’t understand than what I do. Paul’s encouragement to Timothy is to think over what he has written, what he says. Think over, consider, mull over, meditate.
          This, I believe, is where many Christians – myself included – are lax. We read the Bible, check it off the “to do” list and move on to the next thing. 
          Why do we expect God to take our “devotions” with Him seriously enough to give us understanding in all things when we don’t take them seriously enough to think about what He says?
          Meditation is a discipline and will take focused practice to see it bear fruit. 
          Why not start in Second Timothy?  For the next week or so read it entirely, and then chapter by chapter, stopping when God speaks to your heart through His Word, and just settle on that verse. Meditate on it. Think on it.  God will give us understanding in all things when we care enough to listen.
          Blessings,
          Diane

Diane Hunt is part of the Development and Addiction Recovery teams at America’s Keswick.  In addition to being a Biblical Counselor, she is a Women’s speaker for retreats, conferences and events.  She is a regular writer for Victory Call and one of the authors of Crossing the Jordan Bible Study. She has been married to her husband John over 28 years.  She has 2 adult children and 3 grandchildren and 3 adult step-children with 7 grandchildren making 10 in all.  She delights reading and teaching, but mostly laughing at the funny things her grandchildren say and do.