A few months ago I used the following scripture as the focus for a post. I’m using 2 Timothy 1:12 again… but with a different perspective/emphasis.
“I am not ashamed; for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him]. (2 Timothy 1:12, AMP)
This is one of those scriptures that Christians tend to remember and ‘use’ especially in times of attack, stress, and any other negative force. No criticism. But, goodness… this verse is soooo much more than that. It is one of our weapons of ‘it is written’ but it is also a declaration. Look at how Paul begins this discussion with Timothy – I am not ashamed… for I know Him. In my world, those are two powerful declarations. I also believe that Paul was telling us his foundation for the strength of his convictions. He was explaining to Timothy (and us) how we are able to stand when everything around us appears to be falling and failing.
Look at the words Paul is using – believed, persuaded, entrusted. These are not wimpy words, and they speak that this is not a new revelation for Paul because these words are spoken in the past tense – He has and still does (until that day). And we can infer that if it was in Paul’s past faith foundation, it still is. He still believes, is persuaded and entrusts. Paul wants Timothy to build on his faith, to ‘exercise’ it so that it grows strong and into a mighty foundation.
ALL of these qualities, emotions, etc. are ours to determine, to empower. WE can believe, be persuaded, entrust to the Lord anything and everything. Simply He is a good God and one who will never fail us. We can trust Him and in Him. Again, these are acts that are totally in our hands to do… or not. But look at what we receive, and look at what we lose if we don’t. Mighty high price to pay when we do not act on how Paul lives his life. And we also know that this is how we can live our lives.
‘Entrusted’ is an interesting word Paul uses. Webster defines the word: “…to commit to another with confidence.” Confidence. That’s the foundation for entrusting. [you do see that if you drop the first 2 and last 2 letters of this word you get to the essence – trust]. Paul trusted the Lord and that is a strong word. No one will trust without evidence that the other person is trustworthy. Paul was telling Timothy that he could… confidently trust in the Lord. And so can we.
I think that part of what I’m also trying to indicate is that scripture is never one dimensional, only able to respond to one specific need/want/study. When we say/speak scripture, especially as our weapon against the devil, we have the conviction of our words. They are stated intentionally and purposely. Never, never forget that God, in defining the affect of His words says:
“So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11, AMP)
Since, when we speak the Word, we are speaking God’s word into the situation – our confidence, conviction should soar, which only enhances our believing, being persuaded, and entrusting..
