2 Timothy 4:16-18 - At
my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it
not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my
side and gave me strength, so that
through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might
hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To
him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Amazing…Paul is sitting in a small PRISON CELL…just waiting
for Nero to call for him and probably chop his head off. But Paul doesn’t focus on his impending death…he
is writing a letter to Timothy…to tell him how to stay strong…to tell him how
important the concept of forgiveness is…to encourage him…to testify to the
strength that God gives him to endure such hardship. Paul’s gaze is heavenward…drinking
in strength from God…envisioning the great reward for all the work he has done
on the Earth…finding strength in the joy of knowing he will see Jesus in person
soon!
Paul knew that part of his strength came from sharing what
God had given him with others. If he could not preach in person ...he would
write his sermons down. Satan did not hold Paul back by locking him up…he magnified
his strength. God used this time that
Satan planned to stop Paul from spreading God’s message….to have Paul write all
his great sermons on paper….so that all of us could benefit from them. Oh how
thankful I am that God allowed Paul this time to write all the great wisdom in
the many books of the Bible. I was given the privilege of knowing this man by
reading his heart…a heart that beat solely for God.
Paul senses his death is near…and so he is tying up the
loose ends of his life…calling for people he needs to restore relationships
with…making sure all the important letters he wrote are in the hands of Timothy…who
he trusts to share his words with others.
Paul is lonely for others to hold his hand…but he embraces his calling
one last time…and reaches out to God to sustain him...to strengthen him…to give
him new confidence in his purpose…to wait in the Lord on his deliverance…even if
that means death.
I thank you father for Paul and his amazing testimony. Thank
you for allowing him time to write down the wisdom from you that allowed him to
be so strong. Help me Lord to be strong
like Paul…to look upward at you when things get hard on Earth. Give me a new assurance that you will never
leave me…that you will give me strength to endure all hardships and storms. Make me confident …like Paul…of the message
you want me to share. Give me a vision
of the joy I will share with you and Paul when you call me home. Help me to run the race you have set out for
me today…and open my eyes each morning to see just enough of the big picture to
do what you need done that day. Help me not to worry about tomorrow or the new
hardships it might bring….but lean totally on you to get me through anything
you ask me to do. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment