November 16 – Promised Safety (2 Timothy 4:16-18)

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.”(2 Timothy 4:18)

IN WORD:
Are you a worrier? Join the club. It’s membership includes the entire human race. Yes, there are those who will deny that they worry, and on the surface they seem carefree. But deep down inside, they fear something — tragedy, abandonment, certainly the day of their death. Human anxiety is universal. We were born in the insecurity of a fallen world and a sinful disposition.
God offers security. That is perhaps the most profoundly good element of the Good News. The gospel has comforted so many hearts because it touches the heart’s deepest needs. Our need for companionship, for love, for provision, for purpose — all are part of our inheritance in Christ. And no need seems to bubble up quite so often as our need for security. We worry about failure, injury, loneliness, debts, and death. But we can claim with Paul the above Scripture verse.
Perhaps you thought this verse was for the super-spiritual, apostle-like servants in God’s Kingdom. Perhaps you assumed it is only for those who have been beaten or imprisoned for the sake of the gospel. There are many such servants in our world who are persecuted, and God’s promise for them is sure. But it is meant for the rest of us as well. Evil attacks come to all who live for Jesus. That’s a fact. And God promises to deliver all who live for Jesus. That’s also a fact.

IN DEED:
There is no limit to the fears our minds will entertain. Some worry about them more than others. If you are one of the worriers, rehearse this verse often. Memorize it. Say it to yourself daily. You are not psyching yourself up, you are training yourself to accept an absolute truth. This truth can go to the very depths of your soul and instill enormous confidence in your heart, because it is in the Word — and Jesus said the Word cannot be broken (John 10:35). Trust it. You are safe in Him.

“No soldiers of Christ are ever lost, missing, or left dead on the battlefield.” -J.C. Ryle-