In 2nd Timothy 1:1-2 Paul said to Timothy “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
There’s a song on my heart this morning! Titled Jesus is Coming Soon
Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear
Freedom we all hold dear now is at stake
Humbling your hearts to God saves from the chastening rod
Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will surely sound
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
It’s a peppy little tune our choir sings that has your toe tappin’ and your eyes toward the skies because we believe in the twinkling of an eye we truly could be standing in the presence of God. But for now we are here… in this wicked place, with heartache and trouble on every side, and yet…(pause for special effect) there is unspeakable joy within my soul because I have that promise of life that the Apostle Paul spoke of. And as Christ said in John 10:10 it’s life abundantly!
Believe me when I say that I can get down in the dumps, crazy depressed because of situations in life. I’m not a millionaire, I have bills too. Lots of them! I’ve made mistakes, and not just a few. And if I focused on that I’d stay depressed, but it’s in verses like this that I find glory! Paul gave Timothy that threefold blessing that every believer owns and yet so many refuse to take the title.
Grace is getting what we don’t deserve. Mercy is not getting what we do deserve. And Peace comes from knowing that God controls both and that He loves you.
I don’t deserve anything. I came into this world with nothing, and I’ll leave with nothing but God has sure been good to me in the meantime. I could tell, but it takes much too long, of the times that God has pulled my proverbial hinder parts from the fire in amazing ways! That’s called grace. I could also tell you of the times that I was sure my head was on the chopping block and as I cried out for mercy, He answered. And about that peace that Paul mentioned? You often don’t experience peace until you need it. As a young person I tried to imagine what it would be like when I lost a parent. That thought was so painful I couldn’t even fathom it. And then in 2003 my Dad went to Glory and the sweet peace that I experienced in those hours of grief were amazing!
Life’s tough, but we have a promise. How wonderful it is that in these troublesome times to have a promise that is far more sure than anything you’ve ever had your hands on. What is that promise? Here’s a dozen for your day, but there are countless others!
- That God is with me wherever I go – Joshua 1:9
- If I keep my mind on Him, I’ll have that perfect peace – Isaiah 26:3
- He’ll never leave us or forsakes us! – Hebrews 13:5
- His peace will pass all understanding – Philippians 4:7
- He cares for me – I Peter 5:7
- All things work together for my good – Romans 8:28
- In this world I’ll have trouble, but in Christ we have victory over it or through it– John 16:33
- I can escape temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:13
- God will supply all my needs – Philippians 4:19
- If I ask for wisdom God will supply it – James 1:6
- I’m forgiven of all – 1 John 1:9
- I will have eternal life – I John 5:11
There are so very, very many more, that’s just a few! I even provided the links so you can read them yourselves. Isn’t God’s Word grand! These are troubling times, but God is faithful. Do you have a need that I can lift to the Lord for you? It would be an honor if you’d let me know!
