Rescue

​11/4/20
Today's devotion for today is based on Paul's second letter to Timothy where Paul is giving thanks to God for protecting him.
2 Timothy 4:14-17, "Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense, no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!  But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion's mouth."
There is no doubt that Paul when he referred to being rescued from the lion's mouth, was thinking of "Daniel and the Lions' Den." Daniel was a believer who was thrown into a lions' den because he prayed to God.
We may not share the same threats as Daniel, Paul, or other believers. But as you look at your past, you may see some "lion's mouth" that was licking its chops, ready to swallow you up. Perhaps it was a physical ailment, a mental hardship, or a spiritual challenge. When you were going through them, they seemed bigger than life. Will, I beat this cancer? Will I endure this depression? Will I succumb to this spiritual challenge?
And, although God does not promise that you will never suffer harm, he does promise you eternal life. As you look back at your personal history today, see how many times God worked things out for your good as he delivered you from the lion's mouth. And as you see how many times he delivered you in the past, it may give you confidence for today.
Please pray with me the prayer for today:  Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen, thank you for delivering me in the past. Deliver me from evil today. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.