Pastor John’s Blog

There are times when we are actually abandoned by people we love. Please notice that I didn’t say that we “feel abandoned,” but that we are actually abandoned. This happens when we go through trying circumstances that require investment, commitment, loyalty, sacrifice and risk from others. For some it is easier to walk away from a friend in need than to stick around at a personal cost. Paul knew what this was like. Several times, over a period of years, he had gone in and out of prison for preaching Christ. On one such occasion he faced a trial where if convicted he would be given the death penalty. Of this experience Paul writes “The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them” (2 Tim. 4:16, NLT).  As already stated, when friendship requires investment, commitment, loyalty, sacrifice and risk it is easier for some to just walk away, and this is what some of Paul’s friends did. As a result of this we hear pain mingled with forgiveness in Paul’s words “May it not be counted against them.” Abandonment leads to scars. But this abandonment served to magnify the reality of Jesus presence to Paul for he says in verse 17, “But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.” Christ did for Paul what his friends chose not to do. He gave Paul strength and delivered him from the death sentence because Jesus Christ is the best friend and lawyer that we will ever have!

We never stand alone. Abandonment only serves to emphasize Christ’s presence with us and His faithfulness toward us. He will never abandon or forsake us! So take a moment today to acknowledge the presence of Christ, and thank Him for always being there!