Focus: The Reason I Survive

Text: 2Tim.4:17

"Not withstanding 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."

In the middle of a heavy storm, Paul testifies that the angel of the Lord stood by him and reassured his heart (Act.27:23). Here in our text, the Lord Himself stands with Paul in times of abandonment by those he had so much trusted in the ministry. Demas leaves him for the world, and others leave him for reasons best known to them. Alexander the coppersmith surrenders himself to being used by Satan to oppose Paul. He is indeed a thorn in Paul's flesh. While the Lord stands with Paul, Alexander stands against him. He tries so hard to counter and resist Paul's every word. In Paul's first court appearance, he had no one by his side. Everyone that should be with him stays away from him. He is all alone in the court, but he has God standing with him and supplying every ounce of energy he needs.

Hear me: it doesn't matter who stands against you, so long as God stands with you. It is painful when people who are dear to you forsake you, especially at the time you need them most. But you cannot kill yourself for what people do to you. One thing you have for sure going for you in this life is God. You can always count on God to see you through in times of denials, betrayals and abandonment. Paul was certain and confident of the future, having seen God at work in his life. He says, "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" (2Tim.4:18).

But here is the main point: God stood with Paul and gave him strength to overcome, for a reason. Paul says, "Nothwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; THAT by me the preaching might be fully known, and THAT all the Gentiles might hear…" You can see the two 'thats.' They form the reason for your survival. Every trouble you survive is an opportunity to advance the gospel in one way or another. We are not meant to live long for nothing. Long life is not just for personal pleasure, but for the fulfillment of God's agenda. No power can take away your life until God is done with you. God will pull you out of the lion's mouth, because He has work for you to do. When people abandon you, God will stand with you, because He has work for you to do.

Samson killed a lion with his bare hands. David killed a lion and a bear, and saved his little lambs. God saved Daniel from the lion's den. Paul here testifies, "And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." In the name of Jesus, you will not become meat to any beast. Every moment you live is for the purpose of advancing the gospel of Christ. God lets you survive danger and trouble for the purpose of fulfilling your divine role in life. Every time God saves you from near-death experiences, it's because he has work for you to do.

The resources in your life are for God's use. The position you occupy in the workplace or anywhere else, is for the good of the kingdom of God.

Don't waste a moment. Don't waste resources. Don't abuse purpose by squandering God's blessings. Use your treasure for God's pleasure. Don't waste opportunities. Understand why you are here and what you are here for. Let your whole life's purpose be to glorify God. You are surviving all the troubles of this life for a reason. Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter