I KNOW IN WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED
I KNOW IN WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED
By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.
© God’s Breath Publications
We all have unanswered questions about our faith. We struggle to understand completely the nature of God. We toss and turn at night trying to fathom why God would love us when we fail him so often. We feel incapable many times of explaining who the Holy Spirit is exactly and how He works in our lives. We spend hours studying the Bible searching for the answers to such questions. While it is nice to have answers to questions, possibly it is most important to rest in the knowledge that God is a great God and can take care of us as we live a life of faith in Him.
Such was possibly the thoughts of the great hymn writer, Daniel Webster Whittle. He was born in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts on November 22, 1840. As he grew up he was raised in a good Christian home and later traveled to Chicago where he became a teller at a Wells Fargo Bank and that is where he accepted Christ as his Savior believe it or not. Here are his own words as to how he accepted Christ, “I went into the vault and in the dead silence of that quietest of places I gave my life to my Heavenly Father to use as He would.”
From that day forward he served God faithfully, being active in church and ministry. In 1861 he joined the 72nd Illinois Infantry as a second lieutenant during the Civil War. It was not until 1862 that his regiment was ordered south and on the night before he was to leave he married Miss Abbie Hanson.
He advanced in his rank during the war and served under Sherman in his march to the sea. He was wounded at Vicksburg being shot in his sword arm as he led a charge in place of his wounded captain. He was sent home because of his wound where he was to meet one of the most influential men in his life, the famous evangelist, Dwight L. Moody. Here are Daniel Whittle’s words regarding his meeting Pastor Moody.
“A big meeting of some kind was being held in the Tabernacle, and with some help I was able to attend, although I was still weak from loss of blood and with my arm in a sling. I was called upon to speak and as I got slowly to my feet, feeling shy and embarrassed and weak, a strong voice called out— ‘Give him three cheers, boys,’ and they were given with a will, for every heart was bursting with patriotism in those days and the sight of a wounded soldier in a blue uniform stirred the blood. And how that kindly thought and that ringing cheer stirred my blood; how grateful I was to them — and the one who called out, ‘Give him three cheers’ was Dwight L. Moody, and that is what his friendship meant to me from that moment onward; stimulating, encouraging, appreciating in a twinkling the whole situation — the young soldier’s embarrassment, his need of a friendly word of help; and he was even then the born leader — ‘Give him three cheers,’ and they cheered.”
Major Daniel Whittle went to work for the Elgin Watch Company but the spiritual influence of D. L. Moody continued. Eventually Mr. Whittle quite his business and went into full time ministry as an evangelist. During this time he wrote numerous hymns, one of which was entitled “I Know Whom I Have Believed.” It is based on the scripture passage, 2 Timothy 1:12
“… nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
Following are some of my own thoughts as I thought of Daniel Whittle’s choice to seek God for salvation and to live his life to glorify God in all he would do.
As I read the words of Daniel Whittle’s hymn I sense that he faced the same questions in life that I face. It comforts me that possibly the answers to most questions rest in the character of the God I serve. There are nooks and crannies of my faith that remain a mystery to me, but knowing God is in control of my life is sufficient. As you and I face deep questions of our faith, possibly the words of Daniel Whittle in this hymn can help us have faith in the character and reliability of the God we serve. The words go;
“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 am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”
Why did God save me? I didn’t deserve it. God didn’t owe me anything. He freely gave His Son Jesus to die for my sins so that I might have eternal life. I know and believe that God is able to keep this established until the day when Jesus returns to take me home. The words continue;
“I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.
But I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”
I know when I accepted Christ as my Savior, but I’m not exactly sure how God’s love and grace worked in my heart to give me peace. I can’t exactly explain how God lives within my heart and how He motivates me to love and serve Him. But, I know and believe that God will continue to work in my life despite my bumbles and stumbles and will keep me till the day Jesus returns. The words of the hymn continue;
“I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.
But I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”
The Holy Spirit continues to be a mystery to me. I know He lives within me, but I can’t fully fathom how He convicts me, or others of sin or how He uses God’s Word to reveal Jesus to the unsaved. But, I know God and believe He will continue to work His work until the day that Christ returns for those who believe in Him. The hymn continues;
“I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.
But I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”
I’m almost 70 now and I’ve been a Follower of Christ since I was 9 years old. I don’t know what the future holds for me. Will I suffer disease or good health? Will I be blessed with material wealth or struggle to pay bills and taxes? Will I have a weary life or one of relaxation? I have no way of knowing the future or what God has in store for me. But, I know who God is and have faith in Him that He will be with me and keep me until the day Christ returns in great glory to take me home. Daniel Whittle’s words continue;
“I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.
But I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”
I absolutely have no idea when Christ will return. While scripture tells us we will know the season of His return we will not know the day or hour. I have no idea if I will die before He returns or if I will be alive and be caught up into the heavens to meet Him. But, I know my Lord and my Heavenly Father. I know He will keep me faithful as I seek Him. I know in whom I have believed. I know He will keep my faith established in Him and will fulfill His promises of a Heavenly home and eternal life with Him forever and ever.
Maybe it isn’t necessary to have to have all the answers to my questions and doubts. Possibly there are times when just knowing the majesty, power and faithfulness of God is enough to keep us going in life waiting for the return of our Savior Jesus Christ. Possibly Daniel Whittle’s faith as expressed in his hymn is very good advice.
“Being confident of this,
that He who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion
until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6