2 TIMOTHY 4:14-22 GOD OF GRACE AND GLORY

14 Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. 15 You too should be on your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.

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.

19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus stayed in Corinth, and I left Trophimus sick in Miletus. 21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.

22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

The steadfast love of God means that he will never leave us or forsake us. Even in the face of our greatest danger and at the moment when fear strips us of all human companions, the Lord is with us. Not only is he a presence in our lives, but he is able to give kingdom purpose to every moment of our lives. God does not just save us from being alone he provides the antidote for meaninglessness and despair. When you are powerless and standing in front of the worldly powers, God will give you the most powerful and important message ever sent into the world. The challenge to preach the Gospel “in season and out of season” is fulfilled by God.

During the first two centuries of the Church there were significant periods of persecution and the favorite images in the catacombs were Christ the Good Shepherd, the three young men in the furnace, Jonah and the raising of Lazarus. Their over-riding conviction was that Jesus our Shepherd comes to us and delivers us from sin, death and the devil. He will give us the good confession and deliver us from our peril and into his eternal presence. He is the Lord who “will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.”

The Church, and each individual member of the Body of Christ, is on earth to witness to the steadfast love of God. In Genesis 12, God, through Abram gave us our ultimate purpose. We have been blessed by God in order to be a blessing to the world. That world is composed not only of those who love us and God, but also those who hate us and are enemies of the Father. Our call is to bless them with the truth whether they are friendly or hostile; regardless of whether they mean us weal or woe. Even Caesar is no match for the Word of God.

Almighty and ever loving God, who has promised to be with his people even in the valley of death, build my faith so that I might stand firm and proclaim your Word even in the face of opposition and persecution. Fill me with your Spirit and with a love of your Word that during the time of testing I may proclaim the reason for my trust in you with boldness. May your grace be with me so that I might glorify you. Amen.