But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! 2 Timothy 4: 17, 18, NKJV.
Merciful God, it is so assuring to know that You will stand by us until our work for You is finished. Please confirm this truth as we study Your Word today. This we ask in the holy name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
This is obviously Paul’s last letter to Timothy, his spiritual son. He is aware that his days are numbered, and there are some things that he would like to share with Timothy. He would love to see him one more time. But, if he is not privileged to see him before his eyes close in death, he would like to at least, leave him some written words of counsel and exhortation.
He tells Timothy of the one who has abandoned him (10a). Others have departed to other fields (10b). At the time of the writing of this letter, Luke is the only one there with him (11a). He also praises the faithfulness of one, with whom, in times past, he was at variance, but whom he now recommends, as an asset, to the cause (11b).
He is writing to one who is very near and dear to him. One who has been with him in the good times and the bad. This is a tried and proven friend. Have you been blessed with such a friend? Cherish him or her! Therefore Paul can open his heart fully, and in these final lines, tell his “beloved son” (1: 2), all that burdens him, or brings him joy. He tells him about the one who has done him wrong (4: 14), and warns him to “beware of him” (15). Like his Master, he was left alone, “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me” (16a). And in imitation of His Master Jesus Christ, he asks that their wrong doing, “not be charged against them” (16b).
“But [in spite of everything that human beings did to me] the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. God’s purposes for your life and mine, will be accomplished, in spite of what human beings purposed for, or against, you and me! That is the core message of our Scripture for today!
“Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” Yes He will! Just as He sent His angel to shut the mouth of the lions that were prepared to devour Daniel, He most certainly will protect you and me from every situation that threatens to destroy us. Neither can any evil, designed by human beings, against you and me – be effective, for He has preserved us for heaven!” Hallelujah!
This is the way it has been, and will be, with every son and daughter of God. He who called us will keep us, until we have “fought the good fight” (7a) and “finished the race” (7b).
Dearly beloved, if God has called you to do a work for Him, do not fear the opposition. Do not be concerned about being left alone. Do not be discouraged by the evil doers. The work is God’s, and so are you! He will not leave you alone on the battlefield, or abandon you, in the midst of the race. And you can rest assured, that He will provide you with the strength you need, to “[keep] the faith” (7c)!
Then when all is said and done, He will personally present you and me, with “the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (8).
So do not give up dear ones. Take heart! The same God who stood with Paul, will stand with you and me, in the trenches!