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 2:8-9,
"This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained."
As Paul writes this second letter to Timothy, he is not being held under house arrest as we read of in Acts 28:30. Now, at this time, he is held as a chained prisoner, quite likely in a dungeon or other facility of incarceration. As such he points out to Timothy that although he is chained, God's word, for which he had given his life and for which he was imprisoned, was not and is not chained.
God's word cannot be chained, cannot be contained, cannot be stopped. The gospel has its own power, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." The gospel is a powerful message, and as in Paul's day and ever since, the attempts to contain the gospel have been utterly futile.
I am reminded of Isaiah 55:10-11, "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
In today's world, we see little puny man shaking his little puny fists up toward heaven, as pictured in Psalm 2:1-5, "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 'Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.' The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath..." This is expressed these days in the "global community" movement, such as what we read about in the tower of Babel story. Mankind is working to join forces "for the good of all mankind." In a rejection of God they seek to displace him by attempting to create "safety nets" for all. No need of God's blessing when we are assured the government will provide us an income, housing, medical care, etc. The drive to define what constitutes marriage, redefine homosexuality as legitimate, and the claim of the ability to control creation through a godless environmental movement, etc. all point to little man shaking his little fists in God's face.
However, as we read in Psalm 2:1-5, the Lord simply laughs and then will terrify those of the world in his wrath. No matter how hard mankind tries to "chain up", contain, control, limit God's word, it simply cannot be done. God's word will prevail and all mankind will have to give an account of themselves before his presence on judgment day. "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13.
"This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained."
As Paul writes this second letter to Timothy, he is not being held under house arrest as we read of in Acts 28:30. Now, at this time, he is held as a chained prisoner, quite likely in a dungeon or other facility of incarceration. As such he points out to Timothy that although he is chained, God's word, for which he had given his life and for which he was imprisoned, was not and is not chained.
God's word cannot be chained, cannot be contained, cannot be stopped. The gospel has its own power, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." The gospel is a powerful message, and as in Paul's day and ever since, the attempts to contain the gospel have been utterly futile.
I am reminded of Isaiah 55:10-11, "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
In today's world, we see little puny man shaking his little puny fists up toward heaven, as pictured in Psalm 2:1-5, "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 'Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.' The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath..." This is expressed these days in the "global community" movement, such as what we read about in the tower of Babel story. Mankind is working to join forces "for the good of all mankind." In a rejection of God they seek to displace him by attempting to create "safety nets" for all. No need of God's blessing when we are assured the government will provide us an income, housing, medical care, etc. The drive to define what constitutes marriage, redefine homosexuality as legitimate, and the claim of the ability to control creation through a godless environmental movement, etc. all point to little man shaking his little fists in God's face.
However, as we read in Psalm 2:1-5, the Lord simply laughs and then will terrify those of the world in his wrath. No matter how hard mankind tries to "chain up", contain, control, limit God's word, it simply cannot be done. God's word will prevail and all mankind will have to give an account of themselves before his presence on judgment day. "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13.
As believers, we all need to take great assurance in God's sovereignty, self-determination and his indomitable, ferocious and all-consuming power. All things will come together in his timing, so take heart and celebrate the new life we have in him. After all, we are on the winning team!
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!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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