Read with Me
2 Timothy 4:16-18 (HCSB)
At my first defense, no one stood by me, but everyone deserted me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the proclamation might be fully made through me and all the Gentiles might hear. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen.
Listen with Me
Paul’s second Roman imprisonment (his first imprisonment had been several years earlier and had resulted in his release) had been a great challenge. He had come through Rome on his way back from a successful mission in Spain, just as Nero’s persecution of the Christians in Rome reached its climax. Peter had also been arrested in Rome at that time, and was executed before Nero’s suicide brought an end to the persecution.
During Paul’s first imprisonment he had many visitors and was able to push the gospel message forward even while under house arrest (Acts 28:30-31). But now Paul was alone. It was simply too dangerous for anyone to come to Paul’s defense. If anyone tried, they would have been arrested on the spot and put on trial themselves without doing any good for Paul. Paul understood this very well and did not hold their caution against them.
Even though no one was physically at Paul’s side during his trial, he knew very well that he was not alone. The Holy Spirit in his heart conveyed the presence of Jesus to him, encouraging him and giving him the strength to stand firm and to not compromise in any way. Paul was even able to proclaim the gospel in the hearing of everyone present. His inspired defense was so persuasive that he was not immediately convicted, but was held over for a second hearing, which he knew was coming soon.
Even though Paul understood that he would ultimately be convicted and executed by Nero’s justice system, he did not consider losing that particular battle to be a failure on God’s part in keeping him safe or rescuing him. He completely understood that his physical life would sooner or later end in death. And God had already delivered him on countless occasions.
The victory that Paul looked for was that he would not fold in the face of opposition to the gospel, that he would never compromise or apologize for God or His standards, and that when this life was over, whether sooner or later, he would stand victorious before God’s throne. And he knew that when that happened, it would not be because he was so strong, but because God was so strong in him.
Pray with Me
Father, there is a vital lesson for all of us in this. We get so focused on the here and now that physical survival begins to take priority. We could justify silence or even compromising our beliefs under the rubric of preserving our lives. But Paul knew that physical life is always a temporary proposition. And, since we are only here on earth for a short time, and will then live out the rest of our existence in one of only two places, the best use for our temporary earthly existences is to make sure that we will end up in heaven. And the only way to do that is by glorifying You through complete obedience to Your commands, including the commandment to make disciples of all nations. Paul could rest secure in the knowledge that he would be welcomed into heaven because he lived every moment of every day to glorify and obey You. Help me, Lord, to do the same. Amen.