My dear brothers and sisters, it is a joy to share the Word with you today. This message actually finds its roots in our fasting prayer meeting from last week. During that time, Sister Mercy shared a powerful truth that has stayed with me: God knows everything that is happening in our lives.
Let us turn our Bibles to 2 Timothy 1:12. In the New American Standard Bible 1995, it says:
"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."
Finding Strength in Suffering
When Paul wrote these words, he wasn't sitting in comfort. He was in prison, chained like a criminal, alone, old, and suffering. Yet, there isn't a single note of complaint; instead, he makes a bold declaration of faith. He was suffering because he was called as a preacher and an apostle to the Gentiles, and his dedication to the gospel resulted in intense persecution.
Naturally, as humans, we often feel ashamed when we go through problems, trials, or pain. We might want to hide, stop coming to church, or even stop taking care of our basic needs like showering or brushing our teeth. But Paul says something different: "I am not ashamed". He could say this because he trusted that Jesus would protect everything he had committed to Him—his life, his future, and his ministry—until the final judgment day.
God’s Sovereignty and Plan
Why should we praise God during our sufferings? Because everything happening in our life is only with the knowledge of God. There is a plan behind your pain, even if you cannot see it right now. We may not understand it today, but we will come to know it in His time. Until then, we must not grumble or question His generosity.
As the Scripture says:
"For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion'" (Romans 9:15).
"For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor?" (Romans 11:34).
His thoughts are beyond our comprehension. Look at Joseph; he had to leave his home and endure betrayal and prison. He surely had questions, but God had a plan to place him in the second position of command in Egypt. I experienced this in my own life when I suffered from severe back pain. I asked God, "Why me?". But His plan was my salvation; He used that time to save me and forgive my sins.
The Truth About Divine Permission
We must understand a vital spiritual truth: Nothing can enter your life without God's permission. In John 19:10-11, Pilate challenged Jesus, claiming he had the power to either release Him or crucify Him. Jesus answered:
"You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above..."
Even when 1,000 enemies come against you, they cannot touch you unless heaven gives permission. We see this in the life of Job. Satan couldn't touch Job until he went to God to get permission. And even then, God set boundaries for his protection, telling Satan not to lay a hand on Job himself. When Job's wife told him to curse God and die, Job remained faithful, asking if we should only receive good and not adversity. He refused to sin with his lips by grumbling against the Almighty.
Moving Beyond "Weather Report Faith"
Many people have what I call "weather report faith". When it’s a sunny day, they say "Praise God," but when it's a rainy day, they ask "Where is God?". Paul’s faith was "prison-proof faith". He didn't say, "I know what I believe" or "I know my situation will change"—he said, "I know WHOM I have believed".
If Jesus was not ashamed to die half-naked on a cross for us, how can we be ashamed to live for Him?. Do not be silent at your workplace or among your neighbors. Be convinced that He is able to guard what you have entrusted to Him. We trust banks with our money and don't lose sleep over it; we should trust Jesus even more than we trust a bank.
Conclusion: Four Powerful Truths
As we close, remember that you are not fighting your battles alone. Just as Jesus was in the boat with the disciples during the storm, He is in your boat today. I want to leave you with these four truths to live by:
Know whom you believe.
Do not be ashamed of Christ under any circumstances.
Submit everything—your life, future, and plans—to God.
Live with eternity in mind, focusing on "that day" when He returns.
No matter what you go through, our God is able, and our God is faithful. Amen