2 Timothy 4:16-22: a reflection

16At my first defense, no one came to help me, but all left me. May it not be held against them. 17But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear. So I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me for his heavenly Kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus remained at Corinth, but I left Trophimus at Miletus sick. 21Be diligent to come before winter. Eubulus salutes you, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers. 22The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

Paul writes near the end of his life, and he recalls a bitter moment: At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me. When he stood accused and needed friends beside him, they all left him alone. Yet he does not stop there. But the Lord stood by me, he says, and strengthened me. When everyone else had abandoned him, the Lord did not; the Lord stood with him and gave him strength.

Notice the contrast Paul draws. People failed him at his moment of need; all deserted him, and he stood alone before his accusers. But the Lord did not desert him. When no human friend stood by him, the Lord stood by him, strengthening him, so that even in that lonely hour he was not truly alone. The desertion of people did not mean the desertion of God.

That is a comfort for the times when people fail us, when we feel abandoned and alone. Others may desert us in our need, may fail to stand by us when we most need them; and that is a real grief. But the Lord does not desert us; he stands by us and strengthens us, even when everyone else has gone. When you feel abandoned by people, when those you counted on have failed you and left you alone, remember that the Lord stands by you still. Do not measure your aloneness by who has deserted you, but by the Lord who has not. And Paul even prays that it not be held against those who deserted him; let the Lord's faithful presence with you free you to forgive those who failed you, as it freed Paul, for the Lord who stood by him stands by you.

Lord, near the end of his life Paul recalled that at his first defense everyone deserted him and he stood alone; yet he could say, the Lord stood by me and strengthened me. Comfort me with that for the times when people fail me, when I feel abandoned and alone. Others may desert me in my need, may fail to stand by me when I most need them; and that is a real grief. But you do not desert me; you stand by me and strengthen me, even when everyone else has gone. When I feel abandoned by people, when those I counted on have failed me and left me alone, help me remember that you stand by me still. Let me not measure my aloneness by who has deserted me, but by you, who have not. And as Paul prayed that it not be held against those who deserted him, let your faithful presence with me free me to forgive those who failed me. You who stood by Paul, stand by me; and let me never think myself alone while you are near.