SCRIPTURE: This is why I suffer as I do. Still, 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
THOUGHT: We sometimes speak of guardian angels – protectors of children, and Scripture says these angels “see the face of God.” But here, Paul speaks of a different guardian who not only sees the face of the Father, but stands next to him, interceding on our behalf: Jesus, the one to whom Paul has entrusted everything valuable – life, legacy, reward, relationships, health, ministry, salvation. For Jesus, he has suffered everything the world can throw at him. Paul has made a huge investment, you might say, in not being surprised or ashamed by somehow arriving at the destination over which he’s dreamed and struggled and endured, to find his treasures were stored insecurely. He has a guardian, and this is what he knows so confidently: he knows The Guardian, and not from a distance. He is personally acquainted, first as the one he hated and hunted, then as the one who blinded him with light. The one he loved fiercely, becoming a guardian himself of the truth of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. He has absolute trust in Jesus and in the truth of his deity. He is persuaded beyond any doubt that Jesus is the right one to trust, the only one with the power and position to be a keeper of the treasure of a lifetime.
Today, if you need another reason to look forward to more than this earth, spend a little time reflecting on The Guardian, and just what it is he is guarding for you.
PRAYER: Oh Jesus, you are the one who urged us, “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal (Matt. 6:20).” Thank you for the encouragement that you see and keep each treasure, and thank you for being a trustworthy guardian of all that is truly valuable to me.
Dear Reader,
I’m glad you’re along and I pray you will be blessed, challenged, and encouraged in your faith by something you read here.
There are archives by topic below – now more than 1000 of these daily meditations to browse.
ABOUT ME:
Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
Check out Walking When You’d Rather Fly, and learn more about the book and Amy’s other ministries. You will also find her devotional work at Words of Hope.
FREE TO YOU:
If you’d like to be notified of this blog each weekday, please look for the little blue “follow” button below (just above the topical search), and welcome!
asipoblog.com 
One of my favorite hymns has those words. I need to look it up again.
LikeLike
Share??? 🙂
LikeLike
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.
Refrain:
But “I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”
I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.
I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.
I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.
I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.
LikeLike