8-28-2015

        Good Morning All!!                 

          2 Timothy 4:17; “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth.”

    Most of us like a little help along the way.  Whenever we face something new, we like someone we know to be with us.  This is what many college freshmen experience.  They are almost always happier when there is someone they know present in the new dorm or the new class; someone to show them around the campus the first few days.  This just goes to show that in many ways we never grow up as mom or dad often times had to walk them through kindergarten the first couple of times and maybe middle school then high school if it is in different building.  We don’t like to face things by ourself.

     This is especially true as the event we are facing increases in stress level.  Going to the doctor for tests of an unknown complaint can be unnerving.  Facing an unruly crowd as a commissioner or school board member can be difficult; if you have someone beside you it can make the task a little easier.  Our verse is from Paul’s last letter and he is explaining how he faced the Roman tribunal all alone.  No one stood there with him.  He faced the heat alone.  Even when you are as strong as Paul was; standing all by yourself is hard to do. 

     Yet the Spirit moved Paul to remember; he remembered the words that Jesus told his disciples.  He remembered the phrase, “lo, I am with you always.”  He remembered the phrase, “do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.”  Paul remembered he was never alone.  Even though he didn’t see his companion; his companion was actually his champion.  Jesus stood with him and this knowledge; this certainty gave him the peace and the confidence to face the challenge before him.    

     We can have that same peace.  We may never face a tribunal as Paul did but we might face the loss of a spouse or a child.  We might face the battle of depression or other emotional and mental stresses and, ultimately; we will face death alone.  Yet it is at this time that God has promised to give to us that greatest of great victories; life eternal in his presence.  All the joy and glory will be ours as we share in the peace of God’s eternal kingdom.  We receive the crown of righteousness and are forever joined with the Lord.

Gracious Lord and Savior, because of your mercy, I am never alone.  All that I face you are with me.  Keep me confident of this knowledge.  Keep me secure in your loving arms.  Guide my speech when I need to speak and still my heart so that fear will not overtake me.  Be with those who fear the coming events.  Calm their spirits that they may know your peace and hope.  In your precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret