Read 2 Timothy 4:9–22
The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me
safely to his heavenly kingdom.
2 Timothy 4:18
When Paul had been discouraged in Corinth, the Lord came to him
and encouraged him (Acts 18:9–11). After he had been arrested in
Jerusalem, Paul again was visited by the Lord and encouraged (Acts
23:11). During that terrible storm, when Paul was onboard the ship,
the Lord had again given him strength and courage (Acts 27:22ff.).
Now, in that horrible Roman prison, Paul again experienced the
strengthening presence of the Lord, who had promised, “Never will I
leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).
But note that Paul’s concern was not for his own safety or comfort.
It was the preaching of the Word so that Gentiles might be saved. It was
Paul’s special calling to minister to the Gentiles (Eph. 3), and he was
not ashamed of the gospel, even in the great city of Rome (Rom. 1:16).
What a man! His friends forsake him, and he prays that God will
forgive them. His enemies try him, and he looks for opportunities to
tell them how to be saved! What a difference it makes when the Holy
Spirit controls your life.
Something to Ponder
How do you usually respond when friends forsake you? How can the
Holy Spirit help you develop a forgiving attitude?