I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED
“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” II Timothy 1:12
The apostle Paul was familiar with suffering. He was often rejected by those he preached to and betrayed by those he sought to help. He had been beaten on many occasions and even left for dead. He had been misrepresented, and numerous times, placed in jail. What kept him serving? What was the source of his perseverance? Paul’s steadfastness was a result of his relationship to the Savior. He said, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
Paul had placed everything in Christ’s hands. He had not only trusted Him for his salvation, but he had also deposited his all in the care of the Master. He knew he could trust the Lord. The strength of his life was his walk with the Lord. He knew Christ. He knew the One he was serving. He knew the One he was living for. He knew the One he was suffering for.
Discouragement will come to all of us from time to time. Things do not always go the way we would like for them to. People will disappoint us, plans may fail, and personal defeats may break our hearts. How are we to continue? Paul’s advice is applicable to each of us. Keep putting everything in His hands. This is what Paul meant by, “I have committed unto him.” He can handle our difficulties. Commit everything to Him and trust Him completely. Above all things keep pressing on to know the Lord.
We would all admit that we do not know the Lord as well as we should or could. You might say, “But I do know Him as my Savior. I have trusted in His death on the cross for my salvation.” Thank God for that. However, we ought to grow in our personal walk with Him and get to know Him more intimately. I have known my wife for several decades, and have loved her for many years. But, I know her better today and love her more than I did back then. Our relationship is better now than it has ever been. The same can be true in our relationship to Christ. We should be closer to Him and love Him more as the years go by. The better we know Him, and the closer we are to Him, the more strength we will draw from Him.