Out Of All, He Delivers

July 10, 2021

But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.

~II Timothy 3:10‭-‬11~

Paul became a passionate Jesus follower. His days of murdering Christians were over and he was crossing over to the winning team. He was about to put himself into the very same shoes of the ones whom he hurt. He was about to receive the same persecutions and sufferings. Paul goes on to explain in this epistle the things which he endured were never too much for God to save him from. We serve an amazing Lord whose desire is for us to be well. Paul does not claim that we will be comfortable or completely covered from pain and suffering as we partner with Jesus Christ. In fact, he warns us of the very opposite; "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (II Timothy 3:12)

All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. This is God's word which tells us that we will not be without suffering in fact we will measure up to Jesus in this very way. But take courage my friends, Jesus will always deliver us one way or another! It could be physically, emotionally or to take us Home all together when He is ready. However it comes, the deliverance from our sufferings come. Paul said that out of all these he endured, Jesus delivered him. He will allow things to happen so that we endure just as Jesus endured.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

(Hebrews 12:1)

Paul ran the race of endurance and he then told us to be ready to run too. For our bodies here are temporary and nothing is too big for God to repair. "‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You."

(Jeremiah 32:17)

If it is the Lords will we remain on earth, we shall remain. Only He knows when we take our last breath and we do not have to be concerned with trying to figure that answer out. We are not meant to know everything. Paul trusted in Jesus on his journey. He knew that he would face situations of pain, turmoil and despair but he chose to sing through it, pray through it and wait on Christ to heal him after each time. This is the same man who sang while chained in prison! He had the Spirit of God in him to be able to do such a thing; "And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

(II Corinthians 12:9)

We can be delivered from pains that arose while serving the Lord and look back remembering all He freed us from knowing He will very well do the same again. Paul gives us understanding that in the last days, things will get worse. "But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." (II Timothy 3:1‭-‬4)

As we approach hard times and see wickedness forming around us wherever we may go, we can focus on the words Holy Spirit gave to Paul, a reminder that Jesus will deliver us out of each sorrow as we consider suffering for our faith a blessing. Jesus considered it a blessing to suffer for us, He knew what it would bring by doing so.

"Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory."

(Ephesians 3:13)

Let us count it joy together, for the Lord is on our side! Just as the devil came at Paul for doing the will of God, we can smile and know we must be doing something right for our suffering will align with the very word of God. For we can be a light in a dark place, as Paul was, trusting in Jesus to deliver us each time.

Prayer:

Gracious God, thank you for encouraging me through Your word each day. I know I am important to You and loved by You. I decree and declare that each pain I endure, each suffering that takes place in my life I will be delivered from as You are faithful to me in little and faithful to me in much! I am praising Your most Holy Name and receiving all the strength that gives me the abilty to keep fighting for my faith. I know You have my hand through each moment and I know You are in complete control. Holy Spirit, breathe life into the parts of me that are tired and ready to throw in the towel. I know there is glory on the other side. I am so grateful to be a child of the Most High God, nothing can withstand against me! In the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.