But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished (2 Tim 4:17).
There was a time when the Apostle Paul faced the worst circumstances you could imagine. Apostle Paul was abandoned by his companions. Spiritual darkness had covered his life. The darkness was ready to swallow him whole. And it was precisely at this moment, that he could have used some prayer! He needed someone to encourage him. But there he was, all by himself. Remembering this, Paul says: “…all deserted me; may it not be counted against them!” (2 Tim 4:16)
If there was anyone who desperately needed strengthening it was the Apostle Paul. But the Lord Jesus saw that Paul’s strength was at the end. Therefore, Christ Himself appeared to him to strengthen his faith! God would never leave his sincere servant. He will always bring encouragement, strength, and hope, even if He has to do it Himself! Since Paul faithfully and willingly carried out his commission, God provided him with the strength he needed to ensure the task gets completed.
Are you struggling to fulfill God’s calling for your life? Are you burned-out and can’t go a step further? Perhaps your situation looks similar to Paul’s, completely hopeless? You’re all alone, and there’s no one to strengthen you. Your strength has run out, your inspiration has disappeared like smoke in the wind, and you’re ready to call it quits.
Know this: Jesus wants to encourage you in your most darkest hour. He wants to strengthen you in your weakest moments. He wants to appear to you personally, to give you new strength. He wants to uphold and empower you for ministry. This was His mission, and this still remains His mission!
Pavel Gurzhiy