Paul was a prisoner of Rome. He had given his life to spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles. He had been arrested and had gone through difficult trials, facing death several times. Now as Paul languished in prison, he was confident in the one with whom he had believed. God carried him through thick and thin. and no matter the circumstance, Paul was able to point to God’s hand leading him to the execution of God’s mission throughout the world. Now, as Paul was confined and waiting for the end; he was as confident in God as he had been in Damascus. Paul knew his circumstances were never the issue, it was Paul’s faith and confidence in God, and God’s direction in Paul’s life. Still, the enemy used Paul’s pain, his imminent execution, and his feeling of abandonment to try to kill the last vestiges of Paul’s faith. Paul made it clear to Timothy that the enemy was not successful.
The enemy does the same to us as well. He uses our temptations and trials to rob us of the three great gifts–Faith, Hope, and Love. Like Paul, we need to learn to be content in all circumstances. We too must know in whom we have believed. We then cling to the faith given us to walk through whatever trial or storm into the promise of God’s blessing. God is able to take that which we are willing to commit to him, and store it to our favor upon his return. We simply have to live lives focused upon that which is eternal not that which is temporal. Help me, Lord to live that kind of life in my walk with You!
God Bless You
But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel, I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Examples of Disloyalty and Loyalty
15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.
16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Walking With God 