1 Timothy 1;12-20; Psalm 105:7-45

1 Timothy 1:12-20
We have a merciful God! Paul thanked God for having mercy on him even though he had blasphemed the name of Christ and had persecuted God's people. The Lord is generous and gracious, and He will forgive and save anyone who comes to Him in repentance and faith no matter how shameful their past.

"This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinner'--and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they too, can believe in him and receive eternal life." vv. 15-16

Paul then give glory and praise to God, the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies!

vv. 18-20 move from Paul's testimony to instructions for Timothy.

• Cling to your faith in Christ. Don't neglect His Word!
• Keep your conscience clear by doing what you know is right.

Paul then uses two examples of how NOT to behave. We will see Hymenaeus' errors in 2 Timothy 2 where we will learn that he was teaching people that the resurrection of the dead had already occurred. We're not sure who Alexander is, but apparently both of them were guilty of blaspheming God, and Paul removed them from the church. The purpose of this discipline was to help them to see their error and repent.

Psalm 105:7-45
Remember that Psalm 104 praises God for His creation, and Psalm 105 praises Him for his mighty deeds.

vv. 7 and following recall God's working in and for the nation of Israel. He kept His promises to them which He gave through Abraham and his son and grandson, Isaac and Jacob. In later years, God worked through Joseph (whom He tested!) to save His people from famine. God watched over them during their years in slavery in Egypt, and then He brought them out by using signs and miracles through Moses and Aaron. He led them and cared for them through the years in the wilderness.

These deeds are recorded throughout the Old Testament so that our faith can be strengthened. We know that we have the same God they did, and He is still as able and willing to work on our behalf.