I know...

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

I know...

I know who I believed in. 2 Timothy 1:12

When the apostle Paul writes to Timothy, he is in prison in Rome. He knows that death is approaching because, he says, the time for my departure has arrived (2 Timothy 4:6). He feels alone. Demas, one of his collaborators, loved the present century (v. 10), he abandoned it and went to Thessalonica. He allowed himself to be tempted by the world, perhaps out of fear of danger and renunciation. Crescens left for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Luke, the beloved physician (Colossians 4:14), is the only one to maintain contact with Paul in Rome, for the apostle has just delegated Tychicus, the beloved brother, faithful servant and companion in slavery in the Lord (Colossians 4:7) in Ephesus, in order to replace Timothy who is to come to Rome to him. The destitution of the apostle is so total that he has to ask Timothy to bring him a coat left in Troad, at Carpus's, a thousand kilometers from Rome in a straight line.

All these changes could have destabilized the strongest. In addition, a certain Alexander had shown great wickedness towards Paul by fiercely opposing his words. Perhaps he had slandered the apostle with false statements. But the most painful ordeal is that, in his first defense in court, no one came to help him. Everyone abandoned him. He stood alone before his accusers (2 Timothy 4:9-18).

What is Paul's attitude in these overwhelming circumstances where everything seems to have failed ? He remains firm and confident, because he knows who he believed. He is convinced that his situation is in the best possible hands, those of Jesus Christ.

He trusts completely in his Savior and Lord who delivered him from the lion's mouth and who will deliver him again from every evil work and preserve (him) for his celestial kingdom (2 Timothy 4:17,18). No one can shake his faith. Even in the face of death, he is fearless, for his salvation is certain. The apostle is ready to leave this world as a conqueror.

This is why Paul can end his letter on a note of praise : His is the glory forever and ever. Amen (v. 18).

Source (Pleasing the Lord)