The Friend
The Apostle Paul’s final words are very sad.
In addition to the long list of lifelong hardships, persecutions, and sickness, we read:
All my friends deserted me.
And then, in his usual overcoming way: May it not be held against them.
But wow.
I cringe for the pain in Paul’s heart and for the lack of character in theirs.
We can understand how that could happen, but it’s still surprising considering they’re all devout Believers.
To stand with the world’s most infamous Christian as he underwent trial before Nero was risky, but even still, most of those men owed Paul their lives!
Nearly all of them came to faith in Christ because of Paul’s preaching; and to be honest, we only know who they are because of their association with him.
But as much as they genuinely loved him, and as much as they felt morally obligated to support him, it wasn’t enough to conquer
their fear of joining him in a Roman coliseum filled with hungry lions, should Caesar decide against him.
Hearts of gold, feet of clay–as we like to say.
So, our takeaway is clear: if our hope is exclusively in man, sooner or later (and sad to say), we are going to be sorely disappointed.
But if our confidence is (ultimately) in the Lord, we are less likely to be derailed by the failure of flesh and blood.
If you’re going to put all your eggs in one basket, a human being better not be holding it for you.
But look at Paul.
He was less impressed by his friends’ desertion and more impressed by his Lord’s nearness.
And Paul’s not the only Bible hero to have to face this kind of let down.
King David experienced his fair share of disloyalty, and for David, it was the fact that they had shared a longstanding, quality friendship that made it so unbearably painful.
If it were an enemy… I could endure it;
If a foe were rising against me…
But it is you, my companion, my close friend,
with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship
at the house of God, as we walked about
among the worshipers (Psalm 55:12-14).
We expect such things from enemies, not people we love and who seemed to have loved us back.
But little did King David know that his own agonizing experience doubled as a prophetic picture of the future Messiah’s suffering.
At the Last Supper, when Jesus told His nearest and dearest that they would all leave Him high and dry that very night, here’s how they responded:
“No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never abandon you!” And all the others vowed the same (Mark 14:31).
Words are cheap, aren’t they?
And since Jesus knew their hearts, He persisted.
And notice what brought our Lord comfort in His ordeal:
“A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. (John 16:32)
Look, Jesus tells them, it’s going to appear like I’ve been left all alone, but I know the truth: I am not alone because the Father is right here with me.
It’s the reality of God’s unwavering faithfulness in light of human shortcomings that will bring us peace, keep us from bitterness, and help us forgive those who disappoint.
What mattered most to the Lord wasn’t the absence of His friends—it was the presence of His Father.
Reminds me of a line from the Proverbs: There’s a Friend who sticks closer than a brother (18:24).
I capitalized friend for a reason; ultimately it’s God, and God alone, who stands with us through thick and thin.
And when He makes a vow, He keeps it:
“Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
And “never” means that there’s always One Person you can count on to be there for you.
No matter what.
If the whole world turns against you, there stands your Jesus—a big smile on His face and two thumbs up!
And if God is for you, who can be against you?
Like King David said, “Even if my own mother and father forsake me, the Lord will hold me close” (Psalm 27:10).
It’s good to keep such things in mind.
So.
The next time you’re feeling all alone, for whatever reason…
Remember.
You’ve got a friend.
And that Friend, is the Lord.
