Verse To Abide In
Digging Deeper
Ray Stedman commenting on 2Ti 4:16 writes that this is "rather a sad note. When the apostle was brought up for his hearing -- we would call it the arraignment of the charges against him -- no one stood up for him; all forsook him. This was a very dangerous time in Rome. The Emperor Nero was noted for his vindictiveness. If anybody even appeared to be against him, Nero's assassins were all throughout the city, ready to take the man's life. Evidently no Christian was ready to risk his life by standing up for Paul, so he had to face this preliminary hearing all alone. But notice again Paul's lack of vindictiveness. "May it not be charged against them," he says; and he prays for those who forsook him in the hour of danger. (2 Timothy 4)
THOUGHT - Have you ever felt like you were being chased or hunted down because of your ministry or having taken a stand for Christ? Paul is saying yes, they have chased after me, but I have never been abandoned or left behind (forsaken). When you stand for Christ, everything that stands against Him will come against (persecute) you! And yet in Him, in His grace and power, you can stand.
https://www.preceptaustin.org/2corinthians_47-9_commentary
Let's Pray
Abba, We trust that Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). We thank you and praise you; we worship you and stand in awe of you for sending your son to be our Friend and our Savior. We consider when Jesus cried out to you asking why you had forsaken him (Mk 15:34) and we remember with grateful hearts that through Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross, we are never forsaken, never abandoned (Hb 13:5). Thank you.
We also thank you, for Paul’s example, for the testimony he shares in 2 Corinthians 4:9. Thank you, that when they seemed to have Paul in their power again and again, you delivered him.
May we too stand firm as Paul stood. Help us to fight the good fight of faith. Enable us to take hold of the eternal life which you have called us to and we have proclaimed about … Help us not to waver (1 Tm 6:12-13 NLT), but to stand firm (Eph 6:15).
You are able. To you who are able to do far more, abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to you be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus, throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (Eph 3:20-21 ESV)!
2 Corinthians 4:9 Song