The Lord Stood With Me

And Strengthened Me

Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

2 Timothy 4:9-18

Long ago a prisoner was neglected as he waited in prison. “Only Luke is with me,” wrote the apostle Paul to Timothy. “No one came to my support, but everyone deserted me.” Yet Paul found encouragement even in prison, and he wrote, “The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength.” But surely Paul felt the lonely ache of abandonment.

Throughout this come year let’s reach out to the loneliest of our brothers and sisters.

Reach out in friendship and encourage the lonely.

Our Daily Bread –January 5, 2015