-The Lord has promised good to me.
His Word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.-
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
“You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,” 2 Timothy 2:1
Have you experienced the goodness of the Lord? Who of us has not seen Him work mightily in our lives to bring about good for us and glory for Him? He has promised good for us, and we know that we can trust Him, both from our experience and more importantly because, “His Word my hope secures.” We have seen Him be faithful to us, even when we have not been faithful to Him. (2 Timothy 2:13)
God's promise of good to us does not mean everything is going to necessarily be smooth and without troubles. He has warned us that there may come hardship and persecution and even death, but He has promised good nevertheless. Paul, sitting in prison, tells Timothy not to be ashamed of his testimony of the Lord but to share in his suffering for the gospel. Not by some “grit your teeth and bare it” kind of faith, but by “the power of God, who saved us and called us.” Not because of something wonderful in us “but because of His own purpose and grace, which He gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” (2 Timothy 1:8-9)
Paul wasn't ashamed of his chains, because he knew the God who had allowed them to be placed on him. Paul didn't see God's promise of good as some hope of heaven here on earth, but knew that his hope and his life was in Christ. (Colossians 3:3-4) He knew he had entrusted that life to Him (as indeed all of us have who belong to Christ) and that He is able to be trusted with that until the day of His appearing.
We too can have that same confidence! The Lord has indeed been good to us. I think it is safe to say that most reading this have never known true hunger or deprivation. None of us have ever had to worry where our next meal will come from or where are we going to sleep, or has had a lack of clothes to cover our nakedness. Not that suffering is limited to food, clothing and shelter. Many have suffered greatly under these conditions, but those who belong to Christ have known His goodness even in the midst of suffering. He has been faithful to bring us through times of painfulness to come out stronger and more confident in His faithfulness and more in love with Him. Knowing our suffering is not in vain, but that He is working out His sovereign will in our lives both to our good and His glory. (1 Peter 4:12-13)
He is our Shield (Ephesians 6:16) and He is our portion (Psalm 73:26) and His Grace is amazing!
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