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The Bible Says
We are told in Scriptures to "bear one another's burdens" and we do the best we can, but we are still unable to render the comfort needed. We may call attention to many comforting promises from the Bible, only to have the broken-hearted say to us, "Yes, I am aware of those promises, and I believe them, but you still don't understand what I am going through!" Only God can bring comfort to the sorrowing heart. We sit by the side of a loved one, observe the intense suffering and pray earnestly for his or her release from pain. Then when the Lord answers our prayer by taking that loved one to heaven, we are somewhat relieved but at the same time broken-hearted! We know our sick mother, beloved Dad, or darling child is better off in heaven where all pain and suffering is forever gone---nevertheless, there is still a void in our hearts that refuses to heal completely. Why? Because we are human and it is only normal to love each member of our family. God Himself put that love in our hearts. It is an important part of our human nature.
This may stem from fear, neglect, or outright rejection. We may have done our level best and sacrificed our own best interest to do it, only to be scorned, ridiculed, or deserted. I wonder what thoughts must have raced through the mind of the Apostle Paul, when he suddenly found himself deserted by his trusted friends and left to face the circumstances alone? Here are his exact words to his co-worker Timothy: "Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica -- Cresens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. "Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come -- and the books, especially the parchments. "Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. "At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me and that all the Gentiles might hear. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!" (2 Timothy 4:9-18 NKJV)
None of us are immune. In fact, it would be rather unusual if people always understood us. For one thing we all have trouble expressing exactly what we are trying to say. Then, too, the decisions we make and the things we do are not always in accord with public opinion, and at times our closest loved ones fail to understand us. When it comes to the Bible message that God has laid upon our hearts, there is always an "Alexander the coppersmith" to resist anything and everything that is done in the Name of Jesus. Have you ever had that experience? Have you felt betrayed? Possibly by your best friend or loved one? Have you been deserted at the very time you most needed support? Paul felt like he was standing alone in a very crucial battle! Demis had been a trusted co-worker but when the real test came he chose to put worldly interests ahead of his loyalty to Christ. Each of his trusted friends had taken off in a different direction. John Mark who had failed the first time he accompanied Paul on a Missionary venture, had now learned his lesson and Paul was glad to receive him back. Can't you feel how Paul must have felt when he uttered the words, "At my first defense no man stood with me!" Paul was being tried for his life. Not because he had committed a crime, but because he had fearlessly proclaimed the Gospel Message.
At the height of his career Paul was used of God to perform great miracles. "Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them" (Acts 19:11,12 NKJV). Was this the answer to the prayer request that kept coming in? Now things had taken a decided turn for the worse. Not only was he deserted by his trusted friends, but in verse 20 he writes: "Trophimus have I left at Miletis sick" (2.Timothy 4:20). One fact is evident. No matter how many spiritual gifts one may have; and no matter how many hours he spends in prayer daily, there may be times when his faith will be tested to the limit. There are also times when we must stand alone.
He was able to say in verse 17, "But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me."
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