1st Timothy 4:5. “For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.” IT IS SANCTIFIED. It is possible we do not understand the power of a simple prayer. We can get used to saying words without grasping the meaning there. When a thing is not condemned and forbidden in God’s Word – We can ask a blessing on God’s created gifts when we pray unto the Lord.
The affirmation is made plain and clear that all that God created is good. Some things are for one purpose, and others are to be used as they should. When we see and keep the things God created in their proper place – Then we can thank Him for everything He has provided by His unchanging grace.
We look at the glories of God’s creation around us that give us pleasure. And we are reminded that the God we know as Father has power without measure. The trees around us fulfill the purpose for which they have been made – Carbon dioxide is an essential we need from them, and sometimes even shade.
Even insects fill a role, though often to me they are only pests. The birds of God’s creation fly about by day, but by instinct given by God, at night turn to their nests. The animals of the field and forest do exactly what God intended them to do – Creatures of the sea, carrying out their seasonal duties, glorify God too.
So, when I lay hold of things around, God made for my provision – It would be wrong for me to abuse what He gave by making a wrong decision. That’s why the Word of God and prayer are so important, as they sanctify – What I can choose to eat from all at hand, or what I go and buy.
The Word of God and prayer put me into a frame of heart and mind – So that it is not a complicated matter for me to find God’s will. I am able to apply the Holy Spirit’s guidance to each situation – And experience the blessings of God by His Holy Consecration.
“Heavenly Father, Thy grace in providing for all our needs is often taken for granted. I am sorry about that. I know in every little matter, as well as what I consider big; Thou art there to meet my needs. Help me to get used to praying over the little things and details, as well as the outcome. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
This wisdom and guidance are passed on from God through the apostles and people like Timothy to overseers and teachers in the past, and are now passed on through those God raises up to minister to us. The doctrine and the truth which we practice in order to maintain a true testimony for God must be preserved and continued. What Timothy heard and learned and believed was to be modeled in himself and his own life. The counsel of those who lead the people of God must have first been learned by them personally, and then it is up to them to serve the saints by teaching what is right, and if necessary, exposing and correcting what is wrong. A divinely raised-up leader will have a genuine interest in those he leads. He will commit himself to giving spiritual nourishment and encouraging growth in the believers. He will commit himself to being spiritually fed, and in that way will pass on the truth he has personally felt and experienced. What he teaches will have been learned by experience. What a servant teaches is the result of what he has taken in.