Bible League: Living His Word That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.— 2 Timothy 1:12 NLT In the midst of life's trials, sorrows, and stressful situations, it is easy to become overwhelmed by doubt, fear, and uncertainty. If we are honest with ourselves, we surely can agree that at least once in our lifetime, we have questioned the path we are on and wondered if we have the strength to endure. In these moments of doubt, the words of Paul offer us a profound source of encouragement. Paul was no stranger to suffering and hardships. He had faced persecution, stoning, imprisonment, and countless challenges in his mission to spread the Gospel. Yet, in the face of adversity, while in prison, he makes this powerful declaration: "I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return." Paul had an amazing unwavering faith in God. He did not place his confidence in his own abilities or in the circumstances around him. Instead, his faith was firmly anchored in his knowledge of God's character and faithfulness. My wife and I have been married for 32 years now. Time together has enabled us to know each other so well that we can now blindly trust each other with our lives. Paul knew God this way and therefore he was able to boldly proclaim that "he knows the one in whom he trusts". Do you know in whom you trust? He is God Almighty. The one who laid down His own life for you. The one who changes not. The one whose words never fail. The one who has your hair numbered. The one who has you in the palm of His hands. The one who will never leave you nor forsake you. I ask again. Do you know in whom you trust? Paul knew whom he trusted, and therefore, he entrusted his life to Him. Paul was sure that He was able to guard his life until the day of His return. Beloved, I encourage you to know in whom you have believed. Cultivate a close relationship with God through reading His Word, prayer, and seeking His presence. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). Paul was not just aware of God's character; he was convinced of God's ability. This trust wasn't based on wishful thinking but on the unshakable truth of God's omnipotence. We too can entrust our lives, dreams, aspirations, sorrows, and everything we hold dear to God's safekeeping. When we surrender our worries, fears, and concerns to Him, we can be confident that He is faithful to fulfill His promises, and He will never let us down. Cast you cares upon Him for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). Paul completes his faith filled sentence with, "until the day of his return." Likewise, let us also keep our eyes fixed on the eternal hope that awaits us, knowing that God's keeping power will sustain us until the end. Today, as you face the trials and uncertainties of life, remember Paul's words and the unshakable faith he had in God. Know who you have believed, be convinced of God's ability to keep you, and entrust your life to Him with unwavering faith. In doing so, you will find the courage and strength to persevere amid earthly challenges and the assurance of a glorious future with Him eternally. By Santosh Chandran, Bible League International staff, New Zealand Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingEzekiel 40 Ezekiel 40 -- New Temple Area: Gates, Courts, Rooms NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Peter 5 1 Peter 5 -- Elders to Feed Their Flocks; the Young to Obey NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.Insight How was Jesus made perfect through suffering? Jesus' suffering made him a perfect leader, or pioneer, of our salvation. Jesus did not need to suffer for his own salvation, because he was God in human form. His perfect obedience (which led him down the road of suffering) demonstrates that he was the complete sacrifice for us. Through suffering, Jesus completed the work necessary for our own salvation. Challenge Our suffering can make us more sensitive servants of God. People who have known pain are able to reach out with compassion to others who hurt. If you have suffered, ask God how your experience can be used to help others. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Esther 10:3 Seeking the wealth of his people.Mordecai was a true patriot, and therefore, being exalted to the highest position under Ahasuerus, he used his eminence to promote the prosperity of Israel. In this he was a type of Jesus, who, upon his throne of glory, seeks not his own, but spends his power for his people. It were well if every Christian would be a Mordecai to the church, striving according to his ability for its prosperity. Some are placed in stations of affluence and influence, let them honor their Lord in the high places of the earth, and testify for Jesus before great men. Others have what is far better, namely, close fellowship with the King of kings, let them be sure to plead daily for the weak of the Lord's people, the doubting, the tempted, and the comfortless. It will redound to their honor if they make much intercession for those who are in darkness and dare not draw nigh unto the mercy seat. Instructed believers may serve their Master greatly if they lay out their talents for the general good, and impart their wealth of heavenly learning to others, by teaching them the things of God. The very least in our Israel may at least seek the welfare of his people; and his desire, if he can give no more, shall be acceptable. It is at once the most Christlike and the most happy course for a believer to cease from living to himself. He who blesses others cannot fail to be blessed himself. On the other hand, to seek our own personal greatness is a wicked and unhappy plan of life, its way will be grievous and its end will be fatal. Here is the place to ask thee, my friend, whether thou art to the best of thy power seeking the wealth of the church in thy neighbourhood? I trust thou art not doing it mischief by bitterness and scandal, nor weakening it by thy neglect. Friend, unite with the Lord's poor, bear their cross, do them all the good thou canst, and thou shalt not miss thy reward. Daily Light on the Daily Path Hebrews 2:14,15 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, • and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.1 Corinthians 15:55,57 "O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" • but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 5:1,6-8 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. • Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord-- • for we walk by faith, not by sight-- • we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. John 14:1-3 "Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. • "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. • "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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