Hold fim

"In my first defense no one assisted me, but all of them abandoned me. Let it not be imputed to them ! It is the Lord who has assisted me and strengthened me ... The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and he will save me to bring me into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever" (2 Timothy 4: 16-18)

Paul tells us here : "The Lord stood with me and strengthened me in spite of all the moments of trial that I faced." Paul knew that if he approached the Lord, Christ would honor him By standing with him.

Indeed, the apostle said : "Everywhere I turned, there were problems and distress. But when others abandoned me - when I found myself alone and all I could see were hard times - the Lord came to me and poured His strength into me. He delivered me from all my fears. He gave me the assurance that He would keep me from all evil works and He will continue to keep me until I go to heaven."

Paul was eager to see his spiritual children grasp this idea in their lives. Year after year he saw the Lord strengthen them and make them able to stand even in the midst of the most difficult times.

Beloved, you can only obtain this kind of assurance and strength in the presence of the Lord Himself. We know that Paul was in constant communion with Christ through prayer and that is why the bad news and the trials could not shake it. Whenever Paul faced another terrible ordeal, he escaped in prayer, running to Jesus to take the burden out of his heart.

David Wilkerson