Have you ever found yourself standing alone? Friends or colleagues that once stood with you have walked away and forsook the fellowship you once shared. I believe that we all experience this at some point in our lives. It may not be as devastating as Paul’s was, but broken friendships, and the loss of a once trusted friendship is always painful. How do you move on from these? Paul shares some powerful insights that allowed him to remain focused on the main calling in his life. They can certainly help us through any abandonment or broken relationship that we may have suffered.
Paul tells Timothy that he needs to be diligent in coming to him quickly. Was it because he was lonely and felt sorry for himself? Not at all! It was about the ministry and what he was in need to continue moving forward. He also named names. He made sure that Timothy knew who deserted him so that others would be aware. “For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica.—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me.” Luke was the faithful physician that traveled with Paul and wrote the entire book of Acts. What he was an eye witness to is amazing.
What were the most important items that Paul requested he bring to him? “Bring the cloak I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books; especially the parchments.” He wanted a coat to be warm, and his books for ministry. He did not ask for anything else. What would you ask for? I can think of many things that bring me comfort when I feel abandon; however having my Bible, concordance, and books for study are definitely at the top of my list! These are the items that bring spiritual strength to the weary soul.
Paul then tells Timothy that at his first defense no one stood with him, “but all forsook me.” The word stood here means, no one came together with him; they left and abandoned him. You know his heart when he says, “may this not be charged against them.” He wished no evil for them. I’m sure he prayed that they would eventually have a change of heart. That should always be our prayer when others walk away and abandon us. It frees us from bitterness, and allows the Lord to work in their lives.
Who did stand with Paul? “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that the Gentiles might hear.” This was always Paul’s main focus…the gospel being preached and reaching those who did not know the Lord. The Lord stood, means to place beside, to stand before, provide, come to the aid, commend. When all other people walk away and forsake you, it is the Lord alone that stands beside you, comes to our aid, and provides what we have need of. His strength is what enables us to move forward and fulfill the call that He has on our lives!
He adds that “ I was also delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” What? He adds it in like it is no big deal; “oh, by the way, I was saved from being eaten by a lion” If I were telling the story I probably would have started with that. It would have made a great headline. “I was saved from the mouth of a lion!” Paul did not need to grab our attention with any drama. It was always about Jesus and the gospel.
He reassures Timothy that “the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen!” Paul did not fear an untimely death because he knew that the ministry that the Lord had called him to would be completed as he fully entrusted his life to Him. Each one of us has a calling, a purpose here on this earth. It may not be as a missionary on foreign soil; it may be as a mama raising kingdom children, or it may be in your place of employment amongst those walking in darkness. It does not matter where He puts us, or where He calls us. Our ultimate ministry is to bring the light of the gospel wherever we are. If we are standing alone, we can be assured that He is standing beside us.
“And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8