I Am Convinced

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I Am Convinced

The world constantly tries  to make Christians ashamed  of actually putting their faith  in Jesus Christ.    They will mock the idea  of God  creating all things by His word.     They sneer  at the idea  of being called a sinner,  boldly claiming they are better than most.          They denigrate Jesus  as a weakling,  a sissy,  a pansy.    They don’t think  there needs to be  any sort of payment  for their sins — especially a payment  of sacrificial blood  on a cross,  of all things.     They boldly say Christians are fools  for falling into the entrapment  of such a  “religion”.

Christians have been facing these sorts of mockeries since the beginning.     That is why so many of them were tortured and killed  for their faith.     As all sorts of hardships faced the early preachers  of God’s word,  the young preacher Timothy struggled  with sharing his testimony  of God’s truths.

Was all the struggle worth it?     Is faith in Jesus  worth dying over?     The apostle Paul told Timothy that the answer  to that was a definite and emphatic,  “Yes!”     Paul wrote  that when he was sitting  on death row,  in chains.     Paul had been arrested for preaching the truth  about God and he was soon  to be executed by Emperor Nero.     In 2 Timothy 1:12,  Paul wrote,

For this reason  I also suffer these things,  but I am not ashamed;  for I know  whom I have believed  and  I am convinced  that He is able  to guard  what I have entrusted to Him  until that day.

Paul had absolutely nothing  to be ashamed of  and he knew it.     God’s word had proven to him,  without a doubt,  that God keeps all  of His promises  in His word.     Paul had studied God’s word,  and based on the historical evidence  of fulfilled prophecies,  he was totally convinced  that God would also keep His promise  of keeping us  in the true faith,  until we reach our heavenly home.

Paul was convinced  that no matter how  Emperor Nero would have him executed,  God would keep him strong  in the truth.     He knew God would be with him  all the way — and that his faith was  in God’s hands.     Paul was not depending on his own ability  to remain  in the truth.     He was depending  on God alone  to keep his faith strong  through death,  until he reached  his heavenly home.

So,  what about us?     Are we fearful  about our future  when the world makes fun of us?     We are not to concentrate  on our weaknesses.     By ourselves,  we can do nothing.     But,  with God,  all things are possible — nothing is impossible.     God’s holy word  has proven that.     So,  we are to go to God’s word every day  and let it  strengthen us  in the true faith.

In God’s word  we can see  how God has dealt  with His children  since the beginning of time.     He is our loving,  heavenly Father,  who gives us salvation  through faith  in Jesus Christ alone.     When we  turn to God  and depend on Him,  He is our sure  Help and Defense.     “I am convinced.”

As we reflect on all the ways God has helped us  in the past,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  Your children  face all sorts of challenges,  and even death,  every day.     And,  every day,  You are faithfully by our side  to preserve us  in Your truths.     Thank You.    We do,  indeed,  need You every hour.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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