2 Timothy 4:16-18 — God Protects Paul?

READ THIS: 2 Timothy 4:16-18

16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 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. 18 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.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

Yesterday, we saw the long list of people who left Paul, and yet here, Paul asks that they be forgiven, that it not be held against them. Besides, at the end of the day, the most important person stayed by his side: Jesus! Just like Daniel when he was thrown into the lion's den (Daniel 6), that was scary and he was left on his own, but God stayed with him and made a situation that should have been horrible into an amazing story about God's protection. 

Sometimes God's amazing protection does not end in escaping temporary death (or even from your friends ditching you), but it does protect us from the enemy in unique ways and protects us from eternal death. Either way, God acts SO THAT all people can know Him!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Do you think it's true that God can protect us even if we end up dying? How does that work?

2. Why was Paul able to forgive the people who deserted him? (Luke 23:32-34 is what I think of)
 
TRY THIS:
 
Read verse 17 again! Now try to fill out the following blanks with stuff that happened in your life:
The Lord stood at my side and  ________, so that  ________!

Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 22, 2023 at 6:12 AM

    The Lord stood at my side and loved me anyway so that people could feel His love through me!

    ReplyDelete

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