For Ever and Ever

DEVOTION
2 TIMOTHY
FOR EVER AND EVER
2 Tim 4:16-18
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 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. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
NIV
What is it with Christian fellowship? Why would all those who worked and served so diligently with Paul desert him when he was being on trial for his actions prompted by his faith? I have seen firsthand some act in this manner today when someone falls and is found out. Not only a desertion but a down right shunning. That age old “they shoot horses, don’t they?” phase seems to apply. I try my best not to be a deserter nor do I hope, if the occasion ever arises, that those who know me will not desert me. But still humans will be humans and I think self-preservation prevails over all else. I am overjoyed to know that my Lord and my God will never desert me or anyone else for that matter. God has always been by my side and whatever the situation I face, he is there to give me the strength to walk through it. True, Paul had to endure, beating, flogging, stoning and much more throughout his travels spreading the message of Jesus Christ. I have never come close to anything of that nature. I don’t think I will ever, nor will I ever be in a court defending my actions prompted by my faith. But God will still stand by me whenever I am tempted and attacked by the evil one himself. So many times people say things, people the closest to me, attacking my service to God. The accusations of being used by God when I have not yet reached perfection are the worst. “How can you teach that, when you fail yourself?” kind of words are difficult to defend against. When I fail to walk the talk, I am accused, not be all, but by some. I cannot defend against that because it is true, I am not perfect, yet I am to serve him anyway. I know God will always provide the strength to overcome, although I think at times I do not avail myself to this strength. My humanity gets in the way of the spiritual. But if I continue to talk the walk, if I continue to serve with my whole heart, if I continue to do what I have been called to do, he will rescue me from those attacks. He will never leave me, nor forsake me. People might, but he will not. No matter if I fall from time to time, he will always pick me up and dust me off , assure me of his love and forgiveness and someday bring me into his wonderful heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever.