Simply the Bible Blog

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. (2 Timothy 4.17 NIV)

Paul knew his days were numbered. He had already written to Timothy, “The time has come for my departure.” Imprisoned by Caesar Nero, he had stood trial before the Emperor, but no one stood with him. No one but the Lord.

I remember opening a Chinese fortune cookie once. It read, “If you want to conduct the orchestra you must turn your back on the crowd.” Truly, there are lonely places we must go. But those who know Jesus are never alone. He promised to be with us “even till the end of the age.”

When they came to arrest Jesus, all His disciples left Him. Everyone in the province of Asia deserted Paul (2 Timothy 1.15). And if you are following the Lord there will be times when you must stand without human companionship.

We are tested in such times. From where will we receive our strength? Paul found strength in the Lord. When all human support gave way, the Lord was still there helping Paul boldly proclaim the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ. As the Lord had said of Paul, he was a chosen instrument to take the message to Gentiles and to kings (Acts 9.15). Jesus was now there to fulfill His word through His instrument.

But the Lord stood by Paul for one more reason: to deliver him from the lion’s mouth. As He had done centuries earlier when His servant Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, the Lord demonstrated His power over the roaring lion.

What is the lion you face? What threatens to devour you? What do you most fear? If you are serving Christ, then know that He stands by your side to deliver you from the lion’s mouth. You may be alone and afraid, but the Lord will rescue you from every evil attack, and when your time is up, He will welcome you into His heavenly kingdom. He is at your side now and forever.