Saturday 22 February, 2014

8 Remember Jesus Christ. He came from David’s family line. He was raised from the dead. That is my good news. 9 I am suffering for it. I have even been put in chains like someone who has committed a crime. But God’s word is not held back by chains. 10 So I put up with everything for the good of God’s chosen people. Then they also can be saved. Christ Jesus saves them. He gives them glory that will last forever. 11 Here is a saying you can trust. If we died with him, we will also live with him. 12 If we don’t give up, we will also rule with him. If we say we don’t know him, he will also say he doesn’t know us. 13 Even if we are not faithful, he will remain faithful. He must be true to himself.

In this last letter to Timothy I see Paul sharing his heart with his “son”, friend and co-worker as never before – writing his own short biography – this is who I am and what I’ve done and why – now passing his mantle to Timothy.

Verse 9 – “The word of God is not chained” what prophetic insight Paul had here – 2,000 years later, we know the truth of Paul’s words.  Even though I know this, do I believe this as Paul did?  Have I chained up God’s word in my life?  “He remains faithful” I know there are times when I haven’t believed this, & yet it is true & unmoveable – I have chained God’s word & not allowed it to give me life and set me free, I haven’t always believed God’s complete faithfulness to me.

Father I am so grateful that in the many times I have been faithless – you have been faithful to me.  How amazing is it that your word is not governed by my circumstances.  Thank you for your faithfulness to me always.  Amen

Written by Suzie Hodgson