Persuaded!

Scripture:

2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Observations:

In spite of the suffering that might have caused Paul to despair, he affirmed his confidence in God's protection. This was not a claim to strong faith; rather, it was a trust in one so powerful that even a weak faith was sufficient. Paul based his confidence in Christ on his intimate relationship with him. Paul knew the one in whom he trusted with personal knowledge; he knew Christ so well that no earthly experience could break the bond of love by which Christ held him. If your situation looks bleak, give your concerns to Christ because you know him and love him. Realize that he will guard all you have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

"For I know whom I have believed" - means, "trusted." The idea is, that he understood the character of that Redeemer to whom he had committed his eternal interests, and knew that he had no reason to be ashamed of confiding in him. He was able to keep all that he had intrusted to his care, and would not suffer him to be lost:

Isaiah 28:16 But the Master, GOD, has something to say to this: "Watch closely. I'm laying a foundation in Zion, a solid granite foundation, squared and true. And this is the meaning of the stone: A TRUSTING LIFE WON'T TOPPLE."

"He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." A literal translation of this statement could read, "Keep the good deposit," or "guard the faith." Here the idea shifts to that of the gospel as a rich treasure to be guarded. And that is our ministry, too. That's why Bible study is so important. I like to think of the Bible as a rich treasure-a veritable gold mine of history, poetry, literature, wisdom-all the Word of God to us. It is to be kept and guarded, not by putting it in a vault or under glass, but "by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us." That is, by ingesting it through reading and study, so that it guards us as we guard it. Evangelist Dwight L. Moody once said to a young person: "This Book will keep you from sin-or sin will keep you from this Book." While the power is not in the Book but in the Holy Spirit, the treasure is worth guarding.

Application:

With the phrase "keep that which I have committed unto Him" Paul is wanting each of us to be confidant in the keeping power of God. I believe with all of my heart that, (1) Paul knew that God would protect the souls of those converted through his preaching; (2) Paul trusted God to guard his own soul until Christ's second coming; also, I believe (3) Paul was confident that, though he was in prison and facing death, God would carry out the Good News ministry through others such as Timothy. Paul may have expressed his confidence to encourage Timothy, who was undoubtedly discouraged by the problems in Ephesus and fearful of persecution. Even in prison, Paul knew that God was still in control. No matter what setbacks or problems we face, we can trust fully in God.

This verse has always been such an encouragement to me. Because I KNOW who my Lord is, because I KNOW how loving and caring He is, because I have SEEN His goodness in my past, because I HAVE EXPERIENCED His forgiveness and restoration, because I have BENEFITED from His miraculous provision, because I have MADE IT through fiery trials...(and I could go on and on)...I am PERSUADED that He is able to do whatever His Word says He will, and that He is able to KEEP that which I give to Him. I am still tempted to take back what I give to Him, but I must remind myself everyday that God has never let me down, never forsaken me, never abandoned me, and He will not start today. He truly is in control of my life...even when I can't see Him. But when you become PERSUADED that He is able...you won't need to feel or see Him. Again, that only comes through a personal relationship with Him...DAILY...and through that relationship you can know Him, and then you WILL be persuaded!

Prayer:

"Lord, today I truly KNOW whom I have put my belief and confidence in. And because I know you, I am persuaded that you are able! Even when the enemy of my soul attempts to bring fear, confusion, and turmoil, I choose to declare my faith and confidence in You. Because I KNOW...I truly am PERSUADED! I love you Lord, and thank you for our HIS-STORY together. Even if I don't feel or see you today, I know that I know that I know that You are caring for me and watching over me. I commit myself right now to that care...with CONFIDENCE. In Jesus' name, amen!"