I Believe!

Tom Barnard

 

“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

 

“The most important thing that any person can say is, ‘I believe in God.’ But after that

 has been said, it should be followed with the reasons why. Does my God have limitations?

Does He direct all my ways every day? Does He go with me in all of my daily activities?

 Does God have all of my life to do with as He pleases?”

(Kenneth E. Sullivan, in And I Saw the Mountain, Beacon Hill Press, 1990, p. 132)

 

The Apostle Paul was facing imminent death. His second letter to Timothy contained his final words to his young friend. Paul was alone now, in prison, in Rome. Many of his so-called friends had abandoned him. A few remained, mostly to make sure he had food to eat and warm covering at night. Mamertime (built around the 7^th century BC) was the infamous prison in Rome in which both the apostles Peter and Paul were believed to have spent time awaiting their executions. One historian said that the prison was about 12 feet below ground, and “neglect, darkness and stench make it hideous and fearsome to behold.”

 

From this literal hole in the ground Paul wrote some of his most inspiring words in all of the epistles attributed to him. In spite of the conditions around him, Paul affirmed his faith in God. He had lived out his faith long enough to say to his friend, “I know!” He could have added to those few words the details of his past life as a Christian that would have persuaded any jury of fair-minded people. But he simply said, “I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure he is able….”

 

Wherever you are today, these words can be yours! Read them. Shout them. Sing them. Believe them. In whatever “prison” you find yourself, praise your way out of it! Don’t let the impossibility of it discourage you! Look up, even if all you see above you is a small hole with no sunlight shining through. Let Jesus be your “sun and shield.” Entrust your nights and days to his care. He will not disappoint!

 

Heavenly Father, there are some things about my present circumstances that I do not like. I have prayed to you about them, and I have done what I could to make them go away, but they remain. I will do what Paul did—I will affirm my faith in you! I will say to those around me, “I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him.” Let me see beyond the things that confine me. Lift my vision to see what you see. I bless you for the strength you give me at this very moment. Amen.