Think on These Things
Volume 44 Number 8 February 28, 2010
Think on These Things
The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains II Timothy 1:16
The Greek word translated “refreshed” in the above verse literally means “to make cool.” As I thought on the word, my mind wandered back in time to those hot summer days when I would take our kids to Opryland Amusement Park. We had so much fun on those hot summer days riding the water rides. I loved that ride that consisted of getting in a boat and slowly moving through a darkened cavern where cooling mists from time to time would shoot out at you from between the rocks. The other favorite of mine was the log ride which acted as a small roller-coaster, but at the end you would hit a pool of water and get soaked in the process. These were by far the best rides in the park. They refreshed you on those hot summer days.
But back to II Timothy 1:16, where the apostle Paul prayed, “May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me.”
Particulars are not mentioned, but Onesiphorus served as a breath of cool, fresh air to the apostle. He “refreshed” him.
Do you have someone like Onesiphorus in your life? Someone whose presence, words and actions refresh and lift your spirit? If so, be thankful as was the apostle Paul.
Better yet, have you thought of becoming an Onesiphorus to others? Think of what a blessing that might be to those around you!
Charles