What is in your heart? - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Timothy 1:12b,

"I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to
guard what I have entrusted to him until that day."

Here is a statement of real, genuine, authentic faith. The kind of
faith God looks for in us all. The kind of faith Abraham modeled for
us when it was observed, "Abraham believed the Lord, and he credited
to him as righteousness." Genesis 15:6. It is the kind of faith James
was careful to communicate to us, "As the body without the spirit is
dead, so faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26. It is the kind of
faith that brings God's approval, his acceptance of us into his
family. It is the kind of faith that brings us the forgiveness that
was purchased by Jesus Christ on that cross. It is the kind of faith
that places us into that number that will join with Jesus Christ in
his own inheritance, which he will share with all those who are his.

Paul had entrusted his eternal outcome, his eternal well-being to the
Lord. He did so because he was "convinced" the Lord would follow
through on his promise to us in the gospel. The Lord will "guard what
I have entrusted to him until that day."

Here is Paul's observation of Abraham's faith, "He [Abraham] did not
waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was
strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded
that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why 'it was
credited to him as righteousness.' The words 'it was credited to him'
were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will
credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our
Lord from the dead." Romans 4:20-24.

Both Abraham and Paul were convinced about the promises and power of
God. They were entirely persuaded and trusted God for what they knew
he could do. They embraced the Lord in faith. Four millenia ago
(Abraham) this is what the Lord looked for in mankind, two millenia
ago (Paul), this is what the Lord looked for in mankind. Today it is
what the Lord looks for in each one of us.

He doesn't drop a "roofie" in our drink as some mistakenly think
today. He looks for all who will embrace him in an exercise of the
will, an embrace of faith. He has given all mankind the ability to
choose and the freedom to choose what we place our faith and trust in.

So, what is in your heart?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!

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Trevor Fisk

trevor.fisk@gmail.com