March 21, 2025 - 2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭16-17

“The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 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.” 2 Timothy 4:16-17 NLT

Lord, you are so faithful. We are so grateful that you always stand with us. We are never alone. Even if everyone walks away, you are with us. Help us to be like Paul and keep our eyes on you. It sounds like Paul had reason to be upset with the other Christians for abandoning him when things got hard and risky, yet we see him forgiving them. He says not to hold it against them and praise you for being with him and giving him strength. Help us to be forgiving like this. When others abandon us when we need them most, help us let it go and not hold a grudge.

Lord, we also see that instead of being hurt, Paul kept sharing you. He doesn’t allow himself to focus on himself and his hurt. He doesn’t get stuck there because he keeps focusing on you and what you called him to do. It is much easier to allow hurt to be washed away and forgive when we aren’t allowing ourselves to stew in it. Show us when we are doing this. Challenge us to keep moving forward in what you are calling us to. Help us to keep our trust in you and move forward. Even when others were out to destroy Paul and the ministry you called him to, he trusted you as his protector and kept going. Thank you for how you are always there for us. You are our rescuer, and we put all our trust in you.

In Jesus name, amen.