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. 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 (2 Timothy 4:17-18, my emphases).
Paul was under tremendous pressure during his service for the Lord. I don't think any of us can imagine what he went through.
Many of us are also under pressure, some more, some less, but every human being experience some pressure during their life.
And we who are Christians, have an enemy who is more than willing and eager to add to those human and natural pressures, to make them seem unbearable.
However, notice what the apostle Paul said in the Scriptures above. When considering the past, he said; "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength ...". He testified that the Lord was there with him during the trials and pressures he went through. He came out victorious. "I was delivered from the lion's mouth!" That's amazing!
But not only was Paul looking back and thanking God for what He had done for him in the past, he was also looking forward to situations, pressures and trials that he knew would show up, and said: "The Lord will rescue me ...".
What do you and I say when we're facing tests and trials and pressures? Do we succumb to the temptation to give up, give in and give everything over to the enemy, or do we expectantly say with Paul: "The Lord will rescue me!"
Yes, the world is a dangerous and difficult place to live, but the Lord ....
Was it not for the Lord, I would have given up a long time ago. But the Lord delivered me from the hand of my enemies, He delivered me from my fears and He delivered me from my distresses. (See Psalms 18:1;134:5; 107:6 among others).
Today, if you feel the pressure all around you and in you, remember: But the Lord ...
Don't give the devil foothold in your life anymore, but give the Lord room. He will deliver you!
Paul was under tremendous pressure during his service for the Lord. I don't think any of us can imagine what he went through.
Many of us are also under pressure, some more, some less, but every human being experience some pressure during their life.
And we who are Christians, have an enemy who is more than willing and eager to add to those human and natural pressures, to make them seem unbearable.
However, notice what the apostle Paul said in the Scriptures above. When considering the past, he said; "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength ...". He testified that the Lord was there with him during the trials and pressures he went through. He came out victorious. "I was delivered from the lion's mouth!" That's amazing!
But not only was Paul looking back and thanking God for what He had done for him in the past, he was also looking forward to situations, pressures and trials that he knew would show up, and said: "The Lord will rescue me ...".
What do you and I say when we're facing tests and trials and pressures? Do we succumb to the temptation to give up, give in and give everything over to the enemy, or do we expectantly say with Paul: "The Lord will rescue me!"
Yes, the world is a dangerous and difficult place to live, but the Lord ....
Was it not for the Lord, I would have given up a long time ago. But the Lord delivered me from the hand of my enemies, He delivered me from my fears and He delivered me from my distresses. (See Psalms 18:1;134:5; 107:6 among others).
Today, if you feel the pressure all around you and in you, remember: But the Lord ...
Don't give the devil foothold in your life anymore, but give the Lord room. He will deliver you!
