DAY 14—We learn to commit our spirit into the hands of our REDEEMER.
There’s something unusual—and wonderful—in II Timothy 1:12, one of our verses for today. Reading it in the Greek New Testament, it offers two interpretations. One: “I am persuaded that He is powerful to guard what I have committed unto Him.” Or: “I am persuaded He is powerful to guard that which He has committed unto me.” Really, I think this second one is what Paul meant. The Lord gave Paul a commission. It was a greater charge than he, within himself, could keep. Therefore, there came the persuasion, the strong faith in Paul, that God was the One with the power to guard what He had given him to be and to do. Read the larger passage given at the bottom of the page. Now—can the same persuasion Paul held become ours? Certainly it can. He deals with us all with the same grace and power
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Psalms 31:5—Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast REDEEMED me, O LORD God of truth. NIrV—Into your hands I commit my very life. Lord, set me free. You are my faithful God.
II Timothy 1:12—For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. NIrV—That's why I'm suffering the way I am. But I'm not ashamed. I know the One I have believed in. I am sure He is able to take care of what I have given Him. I can trust Him with it until the day He returns as judge.
Psalm 37:5,6—Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. NIrV—Commit your life to the Lord. Here is what he will do if you trust in him. He will make your godly ways shine like the dawn. He will make your honest life shine like the sun at noon.
FATHER, faithful Redeemer, thank You for bringing me to the place where I need have no fear of fulfilling Your purpose for my life. I know You are guarding what You have placed in me. It makes me want to live moment by moment committed to You and to Your calling. Please help these I hold before You today. All of us have wavered some in trusting You. But now, I am trusting You to bring us all to a place of stability in believing You.
How God Guards the Purpose He Has Given to Us
—II Timothy 1:6-12