NOTWITHSTANDING THE LORD…
At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me…Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me.
II Timothy 4:16, 17
Paul mentions the failure of men, but he majors on the faithfulness of God. We had better learn early to put no confidence in the flesh – in ourselves or in others. Our most familiar friend, which did eat of our bread, may lift up his heel against us. Our Lord’s disciples forsook Him and fled. Paul is tasting the same bitter experience. In his loneliness he begs Timothy to “come before winter.”
We can easily grow wretched over the failure of men, even the best of them. There is so much fickleness and so many Christians fail us. We had better resolve early to expect little of men, much of God. Major on His faithfulness! We have His promise and we may be sure of His presence, for the one assures the other.
Raise your sights higher than men. Then, if even your father and mother forsake you, the Lord will take you up.