DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU HAVE BELIEVED?

DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU HAVE BELIEVED?

I ask you that question, “Do you know who you have believed?”  I have searched my own heart and have asked that question myself.  This past week several of us attended a Senior Retreat with seniors from all over the state and part of Washington.  It was a joy to all to be together, saints in the Lord and thinking that some of those gathered there will be with Jesus before next retreat.  And oh, the worship, singing those wonderful gospel hymns that we all love so much, and hearing the teaching of God’s Word and how to apply it our hearts in our daily lives.

 And it was wonderful to gather around the tables at mealtime and get to know our brothers and sisters in the Lord and to know that they, too, know who they have believed.  And many of these dear saints have known Him for many, many years.  It gives one an idea of what it will be like when we are all gathered together one day with Jesus and never have to pack into our cars and head for home again, we will be home at last.

As we reflect back on our own lives and our walk with the Lord, we can affirm Who we know by our lives and our testimony and the many prayers the Lord has answered.  Here is a wonderful old hymn, one of my mother’s favorite hymns and I remember singing it as a child in my home church.  “I Know Whom I have believed.”

“For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day” 2 Timothy 1:11.

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” That’s what we say when job hunting, but it’s also a foundational Christian truth.  You can study an entire lifetime to try to discover who God is and how to reach Him.  But it all comes down to one question: Do you know Jesus?

As a POW during the Civil War, Daniel Whittle began reading the New Testament his mother had given him as he marched off to war, and he committed his life to Jesus Christ.

After the war, Whittle was promoted to the rank of major and then became a successful businessman.  In 1873 he began preaching in evangelistic services, and for a quarter century he led revivals throughout the United States.  He also encouraged some of the leading songwriters of his time and wrote many hymns himself, including “Showers of Blessing” and “Moment by Moment.”  Whittle penned this hymn in 1883, perhaps thinking back to questions he had asked during this imprisonment.  There were still many things he didn’t know, but he certainly did know Jesus.” (Hymns by Petersen).

I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED

I know not why God’s wondrous grace to me He hath made known, nor why, unworthy, Christ in love redeemed me for His own.

But “I know whom I have believed, and man persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.

I know not how this saving faith to me He did impart, nor how believing in His Word wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves, convincing men of sin, revealing Jesus through the Word, creating faith in Him.

I know not when my Lord may come, at night or noonday fair, nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him or “meet Him in the air.”  (Daniel Webster Whittle (1840-1901).

Do you know who you have believed?  Just as Daniel Whittle had those questions when he was a prisoner of war, we often ask those questions ourselves.  I don’t understand why God would love me and die for me on the cross and save me when a little girl of 9 years old.  But over the years I have learned of His marvelous grace and love no matter what the trial.

And all my hopes and dreams, all my desires to live a holy life, become a Pastor and lead people to Him and being comfort to the sick and dying, He has kept for me against that day when I am at last at home with Him.  What a beautiful picture?

But I do know that He imparted faith in His Word and in His Word I have found peace and joy.  I don’t understand how the Spirit moves convicting men of sin, but I have seen the “light” come on in faces with great joy, as He came into their heart.

And I don’t know when Jesus will come back, or if I will go home to be with Him, but I know that someday I will see Him face to face.  How about you, do you know whom you have believed? 

This very old hymn, found in a very old hymnbook speaks of believing in His love so great.  The writer of this hymn certainly knew in whom He believed.

DIDST THOU, DEAR JESUS, PRAY FOR ME?

Didst Thou, dear Jesus, pray for me in that dread night of old, when Thou didst gather in farewell Thy chosen little fold?

May I believe Thy love so great could compass even me, when Thou didst plead in tender love for all those trust in Thee?

Was there a place in Thy dear Heart for such a one as I; and dost Thou still remember me before the throne on high?

O wondrous love beyond compare, O mercy, full and free; my heart shall e’er rejoice in this, that Jesus prays for me!  Amen  (Gloria Dei, C.M.)

Blessings in Jesus’ Name,

Pastor Sharon