June 10, 2023: 2 Timothy 1:13 - Hold Fast the Pattern of Sound Words in Faith and Love

“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” - 2 Timothy 1:13

What does it mean to “hold fast?” It means to keep or to remember, to keep close to one’s heart. Memorizing Scripture verses is something that has been very helpful to me but it did not come easy. When I was part of a very small church choir, our director asked us to memorize Psalm 100. To me, it was like I was back in school again, and that Scripture seemed so long to me! I was completely intimidated when others in the choir were able to recite it and I was still trying to memorize the first three verses. Let us read Psalm 100 for ourselves:

“Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.” (Psalm 100)

Eventually, with more work at memorizing the verses, including writing them down, I was able to memorize this Scripture. That one memorization exercise led me on a path to want to memorize more verses. I decided to add them as a note in my phone and a reminder daily at noon to read them. The next verse I decided to memorize was one that really hit home for me, it was about tribulations, difficulties in life:

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4)

I needed this verse desperately at the time because I was going through extreme difficulties in my life and with my family. This verse reminded me that there is a purpose in all of the troubles that I was experiencing, that it wasn’t all for naught. When we go through these difficult times in our lives as a peculiar people who have put our faith and trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and if we hold fast to His word, the trials produce in us the ability to persevere, to keep going and not give up and abandon our faith in Him. These tribulations reveal whether our faith in Him in genuine - is it real, or is it a veneer that is worn away when troubles come, like pounding rain and whipping winds on a house that was already weathered many storms? If our faith in Jesus is genuine, if it is real, then it produces that which no one and nothing else in this world can offer us: hope.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith - the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:3-9)

One of the benefits I have received from memorizing Scripture, including the two Scriptures below, is that when I am in a situation where I am stressed or worried about something, whether it be something about my family or myself, I say those verses in my head and it calms me, it gives me peace when chaos surrounds me:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah.” (Psalm 46:1-3)

God’s word, sound words spoken of by the apostle Paul and all the apostles, all the prophets, by Moses and all who wrote books of the Bible as they were called by God and inspired by Him, and words spoken by His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, remind me that God is in control, and He has already won the war. No matter what may happen in this life, Jesus has bought me at a price - by His precious, sinless blood - and my salvation is found in Him and in Him alone.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, may we heed Paul’s words to Timothy and hold fast the pattern of sound words in faith and love, holding them close in our heart, knowing that Jesus “has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” and that we who believe in Him will not perish and are not condemned but will receive from Jesus Christ the completion of our salvation and the crown of life. We will see a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem created, and we will never thirst, never sorrow, and we will dwell with Him, and we shall be His people and God Himself will be our God. ✝️