October 25 — "The Power of Personal Relationship"

Today's Reading: 2 Timothy 1

Paul’s second letter to Timothy is not just a friendly note—it’s a soul-bearing farewell from a man about to lay down his life for Christ. Picture this: Paul, chained in a Roman dungeon, staring death in the face… and what does he do? He doesn’t spiral into despair, drown in doubt, or give in to fear. Nope. He writes with blazing, unshakable confidence in the One he knows, loves, and serves.

In verse 12, he practically shouts, “I couldn’t be more sure of my footing—the One I’ve trusted with everything can handle anything!” The big takeaway? It’s not about what you know—it’s about Who you know. Paul didn’t say, “I know what I believe,” though he absolutely did. He said, “I know Whom I have believed.” That tiny word—Whom—packs a holy punch. His confidence wasn’t built on creeds, theology, Hebrew scrolls, memory verses, or a spiritual résumé. It was built on a Person.

He had walked with Jesus, suffered for Jesus, and found Jesus faithful in every storm and shadow. Paul’s boldness didn’t come from studying truth—it came from knowing Truth Himself. This is where Christianity crosses over from religion to relationship. You can memorize every doctrine, attend every Bible study, join every church committee, and quote Scripture like a pro—but if you don’t know Him personally and intimately, your faith is a house of cards. One gust of trouble, and it’s down.

At first, knowing about Jesus might feel safe and intellectual—facts, doctrines, and Sunday sermons neatly arranged in your mind. But knowing Jesus Himself is relational and unpredictable. It’s hearing His whisper in your spirit when you’re broken. It’s sensing His presence in the quiet when words fail. It’s joy that bubbles up in sorrow, peace that holds steady in chaos, and conviction that gently corrects you in love.

To know Him personally is to discover that He’s not just the Savior of the world—He’s your Savior. Not just the Good Shepherd—but the Shepherd who calls you by name. It’s deeply humbling and wonderfully freeing because you realize He doesn’t just tolerate you—He delights in you.

And once you’ve experienced that kind of knowing, no amount of mere information will ever satisfy again. You’ll find yourself saying with Paul, “I count everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

So today, may the Lord draw you closer until your heart, like Paul’s, is fully connected to the One in whom you have believed. And may you rest in His power, lean on His promises, and rejoice in His keeping grace—for when you truly know Whom you’ve believed, fear and doubt don’t stand a chance.