The One Who Is Able to Safeguard You!

“I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. 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.” 2 Timothy 1:11-12

We face several types of suffering in life. This includes health, relationship, and financial struggles and sufferings. Loneliness is another suffering. Betrayal, false accusations, evil words are yet other forms of suffering. An upright, committed, truthful preacher and teacher of Jesus Christ ending up in jail is, of course, big suffering. It is a matter of shame. 

When Paul writes this letter, he was in prison. He says God has chosen and called him to be his missionary, to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He endured many sufferings in his life for the sake of the Gospel of Christ. He was physically and mentally abused by people. 

Truly, it is a matter of big suffering being locked up in prison and a matter of shame as well. However, he says, he is not ashamed of it. There is a reason why he is not ashamed of it. He says he knows the one whom he trusts. He did not say he knows what he trusts, but whom he trust, referring to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is able to safely guard all that Paul had given him until that day. 

You see, if we have something valuable, we guard it safely, don’t we? When we got a somewhat valuable silver rare coin a few years ago, we kept it safe in a safe box. Usually, people keep valuable things in safe custody. You see, what was valuable to Paul, he already gave to Jesus Christ for safeguarding. Now he says, he is not worried, afraid, or ashamed because His savior who saved him is able to safely guard all that he has given him until that day. “Until that day” may be referring to the day of his departure from this world and the days after it. We do not know for sure what he exactly meant by ‘until that day’. However, the contextual evidence is for his life and future. Paul gave him and his future fully and completely to Jesus Christ on the day of his conversion when Jesus appeared to him on his way to Damascus to arrest the followers and believers in Jesus Christ. 

Beloved, did you give your life and future to Christ? If so why are you feeling worried, afraid, and ashamed? Our insight says He will safeguard you perfectly until that day. Once you give yourself to Jesus, he is not the kind of person who forgets, leaves, or ignores you. I do not know what are you worried or afraid about. It does not matter- whatever it might be, you must give that to Jesus Christ to safeguard it. Would you do it?

 Humanly it is hard to trust God in times of pain and suffering, but you must trust God and stay close to him, although it may be hard. Alternatively, you may even be afraid in those times, that you may not be fully committed to God through your attitudes and words. 

Loved ones, remember, he safeguards you perfectly secure not based on your commitment or faithfulness. It is his powerful grace, strength, and unconditional love that safeguard you and your future. Do not even worry about thinking you may fail or not be faithful. He remains faithful even when we are unfaithful because of painful circumstances. 

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I am in pain and faced with severe testing and trials. As I heard today, I give my worry and fear to you, my loving Lord. Please safely guard me through it all. I know Jesus died for my sins and rose again. I repent of my sins and turn to you for help. Please save me. In the name of Christ, I pray, Amen.”