God is with me (Emmanuel)

Today (actually yesterday) I was excited to read the devotional because I had taken a sneak peek and seen "Growing in Maturity". Hahha, I was thinking that it was all quite awesome that the Lord knows my personal project so well :)

Today's verse was 2 Timothy 1:1-18. In it, Paul, an amazing guy who really knew God, writes to his beloved friend and disciple (Timothy) one last time before he was persecuted for his faith. His words were meant to encourage Timothy who was now leading the people of the church in Ephesus. It was a time of grief and fear for the Christians as they were being persecuted by the Roman Emperor Nero and 'friends' were deserting the imprisoned Paul right and left. Paul encouraged Timothy to be strong in the face of such persecution and to be be brave, even when the going looks tough.

In the devotional material that I use (Closer to God, publisher: Scripture Union), these words impacted me the most: " As Timothy reads of his mentor's suffering, his imprisonment and how his so-called friends have deserted him (v 15), the reality of what it would mean for him to continue to testify about Jesus must have struck fear into his heart. We can only imagine what Timothy thought as the growing realisation dawned on him that it was now up to him to seize the baton, grow in responsibility and 'fan into flame' (v 6) his gifting. "

Being a Christian suddenly became more than just crying out to God for help and warm fuzzy feelings in the church pews when you stood in God's love. There was the practical too. I think Timothy was in a position to see what being a Christian truly meant and entailed. (No, it doesn't mean all Christians have to die in a scourge. Well, if you are a in favor of genocide then, you'll be the exception, I guess.)

It spoke a lot for me who at this point only feels that God is with me only when I am feeling fuzzy feelings or have amazing revelations from God. God is with us even to the end. I cannot feel nice feelings under persecution, nor do I feel like I've hit major inspiration of some sort but in those times, God is with me. As Paul puts it: " Yet I am not ashamed [of the gospel], because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." (v 12)

He really really knows God! WOW. God can be trusted, his word is true. That's what I got from here. Haha. In application, don't be ashamed of the word of God. Preach it relentlessly, even in the face of danger and scorn. I can be said as stupid or narrow for believing the word. But I hope to echo the words of Paul in the face of this.

Til I reach full spiritual maturity and if that day beckons,

Hungry (at this point for physical and spiritual food),

Jo.

"Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. 'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far and it is Grace that'll lead me home...The Lord has promised good to me; His word my hope secures. He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures." - John Newton, Amazing Grace.