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Confidence in God’s keeping power

Scripture reading for September 19th: 2nd Timothy 1, Psalm 37, Proverbs 1

2nd Timothy 1: 8-12 “Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share in suffering for the Gospel by the power of God, Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, Who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know Whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.”

Paul was suffering in prison in Rome and writing what was to be his last letter that we have in Scripture. He believed that God had sent him to Rome to preach the Gospel, even to those who imprisoned him. He urged Timothy, who was also facing persecution, not to be ashamed of his own testimony of faith in Jesus or of him as His prisoner. Paul’s own example was one of confession of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as God’s Son and Savior through His atoning death and powerful resurrection to life eternal. Paul knew Jesus Christ and was fully convinced of Christ’s ability and power to keep his life and soul eternally, no matter what might happen to him! God’s grace was sufficient and His Holy Spirit would uphold him.

Psalm 37:23-25 “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when He delights in his way; Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not see the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.”

Prayer: Father God, thank You for the confidence that I have through these Holy Scriptures and the records of Paul and Timothy’s life and faith. Forgive me for sometimes shrinking back from boldly sharing my faith in Jesus Christ. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and boldness to live victoriously, even in suffering, and proclaim Your faithfulness to all who will hear and see. May the wise hear and understand!

Proverbs 1:5-6 “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.”