Scripture to Read: 2 Timothy 1:12
Through Paul, God gives Timothy, and all of us, some incredible words of encouragement today. Remember yesterday, God told us through His Word that we will suffer in this life because we have surrendered to Christ as Lord. Suffering comes in many different ways, but God uses our suffering for His honor, glory, and praise. We read today that Paul was experiencing suffering in prison because of his relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. As God led Paul to write from prison, God, through Paul, makes sure Timothy knows, and that we know, that when we suffer for the sake of our Lord, we never need to be ashamed because of the suffering that has come upon us. We do not need to be ashamed in our suffering because we know we belong to the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. We need to count it a privilege that our King considers us worthy to suffer to bring Him glory through our lives. Another word of encouragement today is knowing that Christ will guard us. Christ guards our very souls because we have entrusted our souls to Him for the day of our complete redemption when He calls us home. We know we are redeemed now, but the fullness of our redemption will not be realized until we shed this earthly shell we live in and are in His Holy presence for all eternity. We may suffer in this life, but our suffering is nothing compared to living in perfection with our Lord for all eternity.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about suffering and not being ashamed?
2. How are you continuing to grow in your intimacy with our Lord Jesus Christ and His Word?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!