Today we are reading from 2 Timothy 1:6-14:

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Today’s passage inspired one of my absolute favorite hymns, I Know Whom I Have I Believed.  You can listen to it, if you don’t know it, click here. 

This hymn, like this passage, focuses on this, we know whom we have believed in, and we can trust in Him until that final day when He comes for us.  Paul tells Timothy to hold fast to the Gospel and hold fast to Jesus.  Believing in Jesus may cause suffering. It may cause pain. I may cost you, it may cause you to have to make some hard choices from time to time.

But trusting in Jesus is where life itself is found. And we know this, no matter what we may face in life, we can trust. Because of Jesus.  We know who we have believed in. We know His goodness, His mercy, His grace, His life. And we can trust. We can trust. Because Jesus has never failed us.

If we are still standing, breathing His air living in His life, He has not failed us. He has brought this far. He will not leave us now. We can trust. Because God is good. 

Trust in Jesus today. Even if it is hard, or even if it doesn’t make sense. Trust in Jesus. 

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
to me he hath made known,
nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
redeemed me for his own.
But I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I’ve committed
unto him against that day.

I know who I have believed.  Jesus.  And I trust in Him today. And I trust in Him always. 

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