I stumbled upon 2 Timothy 1:12 about five years ago. It was one of those discoveries that leaves you asking, “Has this verse always been there?!”
“…Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12
I tried to move on to verse 13, but my eyes pulled me back up to verse 12 again. I thought through the words Paul had chosen. “…Yet I am not ashamed, because I know WHOM I have believed…” So often I spend this life trying to know who I am, rather than whom I belong to. Paul places his entire trust and identity in the one in whom he believes. That belief has Paul convinced that God “is able to guard what I have entrusted to him…”
Many of us believe that God has the power and ability to protect us and provide for our needs but seem to leave out the action verb that Paul uses. Entrust. Webster’s gives this definition to the word entrust: “To give over (something) to another for care, protection, or performance.” Not only does Paul believe that God has the power, but he gives it up and hands it over. So often I bring my requests to the throne of God prepared to leave them at his feet but find myself backing away still clutching onto those same requests.
If I believe that God truly does desire my good, (which doesn’t actually mean easy or convenient, but rather being conformed to the likeness of his Son) then I will release my requests knowing that he is able to guard what I entrust to him. Do I accomplish this just once? Note the end of the verse: “for that day.” This is not a one time event. This is the daily act of surrender that I will make for the rest of my life. Some days this comes naturally and other days I must find my way back to this verse. He has promised to hear my prayers and answer them, but do I trust him with what I hold dearest? It’s time to take a deep breath and give up.
1 Timothy 1:12 is one of my vitamin verses. I check it out on a daily basis to give me strength, nourishment, and encouragement to face the day ahead. What are some of your go-to vitamin verses?
Following,
Ginger
