January 27

2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:14—He is able to keep my deposit... The good deposit, keep. (R.V., marg.)

There is a double deposit here, and the comparison comes out clear and marked in the Greek. When we give our most precious treasure into the custodianship of Jesus, He turns to honor us by entrusting his own treasure to our care. Oh that we might be as eager to keep that which He entrusts to us, as He is that which we entrust to Him; so that He might be able to say of us, "I know them in whom I have trusted, and am persuaded that they will never fail to do whatever needs to be done for my honor and glory."

Our deposit with Christ.—What is the true policy of life? How can I best spend these few years to the best advantage? What is there beyond, and beyond? Such questions come to all earnest souls, and greatly trouble them, till they entrust the keeping of their souls and the direction of their lives into the hands of the faithful Savior. We feel sure that He has the words of eternal life, and fnat all power is given to Him in heaven and on earth. At first there is something of a venture—we trust Him; next, there is the knowledge which comes from experience—we know Him; lastly, there is strong confidence—we are persuaded that He is able.

Christ’s deposit with us.—And what is this? 1 Timothy 6:20; 1 Timothy 6:14; 1 Timothy 4:16, suggest the answer. To every believer Jesus hands the custody of his honor, his Gospel, his Father’s glory, his holy day, the ordinances which He bequeathed to the Church. As Ezra charged the priests to bear safely through the desert march the sacred vessels, so our Captain charges us, and throughout the whole Bible rings the injunction: "Be ye clean, ye that bear the vessels of the Lord."