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 her. 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 4:17,18)
As Christians we know that we are saved by the grace of God and through our faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ. Our salvation and trust in God comes with great rewards. We are brought into a life of privilege that affords us a protection like nothing else in this world. God provides for and protects His own. Chaos could be all around us, evil pursuing our lives, even confusion in our own minds, but God stands with us and for us (Romans 8:31).
In these Scriptures Paul is testifying, or giving an account, of how God stood with him as he carried out his life’s assignment. And not only was God with him throughout those times, God also strengthened Paul to deliver the Word to the Gentiles (those not of Jewish heritage).
Paul’s entire life is a testimony to the faithfulness of God – being Saul in his former life, he was a persecutor of the church of God; he was committed to killing the followers of Jesus (Acts 8:1,3; 9:4,13,14). But the plans of God for his life (Acts 9:15,16) prevailed, and he was changed from Saul to Paul (Acts 9:1-31) and set out to accomplish the will of God for his life. Even when he was a persecutor of the early church, God had plans for him in His kingdom. God knew he would endure great, great hardship as His messenger, but God had already planned to be with him throughout his trials. See God doesn’t make up His plans in moments of time; His plans exist from eternity and they prevail in time. Paul had the earnest testimony that the Lord stood with him and that He was faithful throughout all his time. Paul understood that the same fate he had brought to the church in his previous life could have been the same fate he received in his new life as a follower of Christ. But he committed himself, after recieving understanding of the Way, to the plans of God and experienced the faithfulness of our God.
Paul is a good example in the Bible where when one commits, fully, her life to God and God’s assignment for her life, God faithfully helps her accomplish some impossible things. Paul’s life and testimony shows God’s faithfulness to His people and His plan of success for us.
The Lord is Faithful!
Scripture References: 2 Timothy 4:17,18; Romans 8:31-39; Acts 8:1,3; 9:1-31
Journal Prompt Questions
Take this time to reflect on what has been shared and the Scriptures you have read. Record your thoughts and answers to these questions in your journal. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a deeper revelation of Paul’s story and the faithfulness of God.
Q: What does Paul’s life share with you about God’s character?
Q: What is your conversion story?
Q: How has God’s faithfulness to His plan for your life shown up throughout your life?
Q: What would you tell a new believer, or maybe a non-believer, about the faithfulness of our God?
Q: What would you tell a believer who is going through a rough season right now and need to be reminded of the faithfulness of our God?
Q: Will your testimony be “The Lord is Faithful!”?
