Ref: 2 Timothy 4:16-18
Winter is around the corner and Paul calls out to Timothy, his brother to join him ,”do your best to come to me soon” he says . Paul seems to be going through a period of being deserted and alone , the ones who once walked with him have left him and the ones who are with him are struggling to keep up with Paul’s passion and work ethics in spreading the gospel.
It is a hard journey to be different from the rest, to stand up for what God has placed on your heart. Like Paul you could be feeling deserted and alone. There is sadness in Paul’s words as he express his need for a companion and I am sure most of us may have gone through this experience of being deserted when we intend to move on the dreams, visions and words God places in our hearts. Paul provides us a few hints on how to approach such a situation and I would like to share my thoughts with you on this .
1. “May they not be held accountable” - When Paul stood at his trail for spreading the gospel, no one came forward to support him, he was deserted. Yet Paul says let them not be held accountable for their actions, in other words “I forgive them for deserting me”. Forgiveness is the first step and without that willful and strong action from our hearts , we will continue to break under the pain of being deserted. Forgiveness opens our eyes to see that God has a plan through the present situation and a plan through those who deserted you.
2. “But the Lord stood by me” - In every situation of loneliness and pain, the only person who will be by your side is the Lord. He loves you and all He seeks is your love for him. He is not concerned about your position in life , He is concerned about the posture of your heart towards Him. Paul says with a confidence, through his many faithful experiences with Christ , the Lord will never leave me nor forsake me, in spite the whole world standing against me. Today in whatever situation we are , our Lord is standing by our side and you need to take your next step believing that.
3. “The message would be fully proclaimed” - The Lord’s intention through our lives is clear , spread the message of the gospel, spread the message of true love, salvation and hope. The message becomes the central focus of our lives , not dogmas, tradition and culture, not rules , regulations and pride but only the pure message of the gospel motivates our living . We find purpose and meaning to our lives when we understand that proclaiming the message through all the means available before us makes us one with Him. We are no more deserted , we are one with Him. Proclaim the gospel in your most painful moments.
4. “The Lord will deliver me” - This is a fact , the Lord will deliver us. It does not matter, for what reason it may be that your friend or family has deserted you, based on GOD’s plan in your life , you have decided to move forward. At this very moment , He has decided to deliver you because of your faith in Him. Your faith will be the foundation of His deliverance in your life . Be bold for the dreams and visions He has placed in your heart, do not let the world stop you from proclaiming His message.
Forgive, Believe, Proclaim and Be Delivered from your present state of feeling deserted and being alone to knowing that He will safely bring you into His heavenly kingdom. Remember He will bring your Timothy to you before the winter comes. To Him be the glory forever and ever.
“At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me - may they not be held accountable for it. But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lionʼs mouth! The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen. “ 2 Timothy 4:16-18
©️deepsgeorge 2018
www.deepsgeorge.com
#JesusInspires!