II Timothy 4:16-18

II Timothy 4:16-18:
16. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
17. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me: that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
18. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Timothy was abandoned.  Only Luke was with him.  Demas left him for love of this present world, Tychicus was sent to Ephesus, and Alexander the coppersmith had done “much evil”.  So Timothy was left alone.  He says in verse 16: “…no man stood with me, but all men forsook me…” He also prays that their works not be charged to them.  This shows the forgiveness of Timothy and how he realized that God is the one who has control of “payback” or discipline.  It is not our place to reward evil for evil.  It is God who decides how he wants people to be rewarded, either good or bad.

·         Do I wish evil upon those who have hurt me?  Or do I forgive and let God take care of the rest?

We also see Timothy’s faithfulness and commitment to the Lord.  Even though no one stood with him, he still stood strong and relied on the Lord for strength.  Many times we are left standing alone and on our own.  What we do in response to this is what shows what we really are.

·         Am I really faithful?  Am I really relying on God? Or do I do what the crowd does?  Do I really depend on Christ to sustain me?  Or do I let others dictate how tall or how long I stand?

Verse 17 shows God’s power to deliver.  The Lord stood with Timothy and strengthened him.  Why?  This so that Timothy could be used of God and that through him others could hear the preaching of the Gospel.  God delivered Timothy “out of the mouth of the lion”.  Verse 18 goes on to say that the Lord will deliver Timothy from every evil work.  “And the Lord SHALL deliver me from every evil work, and WILL preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom…”  Timothy not only had the knowledge that God CAN, but also the faith that God WILL deliver from every evil work and preserve him unto His heavenly kingdom.

·         Am I letting God stand by me and strengthen me so He can use me?  He WANTS to use me because He CAN and WILL if I let Him.  Am I rejecting and pushing Him away?  Or am I willing to let Him?

            The last phrase of verse 18 says the following: “to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”  God is always to be given glory and honor.  There should always be worship directed towards God.  In every situation, whether we be accompanied or alone, happy or sad, in a good situation or having a hard time…God is ALWAYS worthy of our worship.  Whether we feel like it or not, God needs to be praised.  Our actions, attitudes, words and thoughts will do one of two things: praise, worship and please Him, or disrespect, disappoint and reject Him.

·         Am I worshipping Christ in all I do, whether I feel like it or not?  Do my actions, attitudes, words and thoughts please Him?