Beautiful verse today. From the bottom of Paul's heart.

Here is the text:

2 Timothy 1:12, “That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day.”

Interesting points:
1. In this verse Paul acknowledges that his suffering stems from spreading the gospel as a herald (preacher), apostle and teacher yet he remains steadfast in his faith, knowing that he believes in the one True and Living God who will safeguard his life before the Judgment Seat of God on that fateful day.

2. Paul's suffering under persecution was due to his work as a preacher, apostle, and teacher. First, his opposition came from the Jews who rejected the Gospel and sought to thwart its spread. Second, Paul faced great opposition from unbelieving Gentiles that rejected the Gospel because his introduction of a new religion that confronted their idolatry and superstition.

3. Yet, he was "not ashamed". Paul provides two reasons to explain why he was not reluctant to suffer for Christ. First, he could suffer for the sake of Jesus, because he knew Jesus, and Jesus' suffering gave Paul power to endure all things. Second, Paul said he was not ashamed to suffer because he trusted Christ to be his foundation -- not his own efforts.

4. Although there are many differing views about what Paul is referring to when he says that Christ "is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him for that day”, We believe that Paul is referring to Judgement Day where Jesus serves as our most excellent Advocate, before God to save our lives for eternity.

Application.
Brothers, we know our enemy is alive and well and takes every opportunity to harass and attack us believers. We should expect it and recognize such attacks and subsequent suffering. The question we will have to ask ourselves is “Will we remain steadfast, like Paul, or collapse under the pressure?”

When times get tough and we suffer, does Jesus serve as our inspiration and Master to guide us out of our troubles or do we insist in taking the reins of our lives and trying to resolve things on our own?

The answer to these two questions reveals a lot about our faith walk with Christ as it focuses on the fundamental question of “Who will be our advocate before God’s throne on Judgment Day?”