The Lord Stood At My Side

“At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:16-18)

Imagine you are on trial with your life on the line. Prosecutors stand against you, charging you with crimes worthy of death. Who would stand at your side? Who would be there to defend you?

Paul faced that very situation. He was on trial in Rome for sharing the good news of Jesus. At his first hearing, who came to his support? No one. Everyone deserted him. It was Paul against the world.

Actually, that’s not true. There was Someone there. Who? The Lord. Even though everyone else had deserted him, “the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength.” When it’s God and you against the world, do you know who always wins? God! There’s no greater power than having the Lord on your side.

God used this first hearing near the end of Paul’s life to accomplish something great. Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, got to fully proclaim the good news of Jesus to all the Gentiles in Rome. It’s amazing to see what happens when the Lord is at your side!

That gave Paul confidence for the future, no matter what happened next. When the Lord stands at your side, you can face the future without any “ifs” or “we’ll sees.” Instead, Paul could say with total confidence: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.” With the Lord at his side, Paul could face Caesar. Paul could even face death.

That’s true for you too. Do you realize that? Even if no one else is there, the Lord is at your side. Even if you have to face great challenges, the Lord is by your side. Even when you face death, the Lord is at your side. He will rescue you from every evil attack and bring you safely to his heavenly kingdom. 

To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen!

Dear Jesus, there are days when we feel all alone. There are challenges that seem insurmountable. As you did for Paul, stand at our side and give us strength for every challenge, even death itself. Amen.

Pastor Nathan