2 Timothy – Week 8 – Day 4

READ 

2 Timothy 4:16-17 

16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. 

Paul wanted God to forgive those who refused to stand with him at his Roman trial. This reveals Paul understood why it was dangerous for believers to be associated with him. Even though others forsook him, the Lord did not. Note the highly significant statement that the Lord “gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear.” This would eventually announce the gospel to all the Roman Empire. Paul knew he was facing death but he was rescued from it at that time. For “certain death” the Greek text has from the “lion’s mouth,” a possible reference to Nero himself. 

REFLECT 

Paul’s difficult circumstances were allowing the Gospel to get a wider hearing. Have you had a difficulty that you later realized brought about a good result? 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend and read about what Paul said in Philippians 1:12-14 when he was imprisoned previous to his Roman imprisonment. Talk about Romans 8:28 about God’s purpose and see Romans 8:29 for what God’s purpose is.