2 Timothy 4:16
The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them.
Any student of history recognizes the name Napoleon. He was the general of France who tried to enslave the world but was beaten by the Russian winter. He died a prisoner, in exile on an island in the South Atlantic.
Napoleon ended his life with these pitiful words, “I wonder if there is anyone who truly loves me.”
When you read our verse today you might think that Paul felt the same way as Napoleon. Nobody stood with him when he went to trial, everybody abandoned him. But instead of throwing pity party, Paul looked to the One who had never abandoned him: God.
2 Timothy 4:17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.
We never have to wonder if anybody loves us. We never need to sing the Eric Carmen song, “All By Myself,” because God is always with us. He won’t leave us, won’t forsake us. He won’t give us up, He won’t let us down, He’s never going to desert us… Apologies to Rick Astley for that last part...
God is always with us. He offers us peace when we are distraught, wisdom when we are confused, and mercy when we sin. It is all available to us if we will just seek Him and put our trust in Him.
Today’s Readings: 2 Timothy 1-4
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