May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. —2 Timothy 1:16
Yes, Paul was in prison when he wrote these words. On death row, in fact. But still, he was the apostle Paul. An ordinary man like Onesiphorus might easily have concluded that someone like Paul couldn’t possibly need comfort from someone like him.
Perhaps you’ve had that same feeling toward certain people. Your pastor and his wife or a Bible study leader who hardly seems in need of a word of encouragement from you. More than you can know, however, those individuals may need an Onesiphorus in their life—someone who prays, expresses concern, ministers to their practical needs.
How I thank the Lord for people in my life like Onesiphorus—dear friends whose encouraging words and acts have ministered much-needed grace to my heart and have helped me to stay the course and press into the battle. Thinking about those people motivates me to reach out to others around me who may be in need of refreshing and comfort from Christ.
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The Quiet Place: Daily Devotional Readings ©2012 Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Scripture taken from The CSB
Make it Personal
Who is someone who has blessed your life? Take the time to thank them and encourage them in some practical way.