When All Others Fail, Trust in Jesus

In 2 Timothy 1:15, Paul writes to Timothy and says, “You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.” It’s clear that Paul was feeling abandoned and betrayed by those he had thought were his friends. But Paul doesn’t let this betrayal get him down. Instead, he turns to Jesus for strength and comfort. In 2 Timothy 4:9-11, he writes, “Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica.” Paul goes on to say in verse 16, “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.” Here, Paul demonstrates his forgiveness and love for those who have abandoned him, even in the face of persecution. And in verse 18, Paul writes, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Through all of his struggles and setbacks, Paul trusted in Jesus and knew that he would be rescued and brought safely into his heavenly kingdom. In times of betrayal and abandonment, it can be easy to feel alone and despair. But just as Paul trusted in Jesus, we too can find comfort and strength in him. When all others fail us, let us turn to Jesus and trust in his love and protection. He will never forsake us or abandon us, but will always be with us, guiding us through even the darkest of times. So, let us put our trust in Jesus and find hope and peace in him. We are not alone in our struggles. Jesus himself was betrayed by one of his closest friends, Judas, and yet he still chose to forgive and love him. If Jesus can extend forgiveness and love to those who have hurt him, surely, we can do the same for those who have hurt us.

As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:17, “The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s

mouth.” Paul was able to forgive others and move on from their failures because he trusted in God to empower him and sustain him. Forgiveness doesn’t always mean reconciliation. Sometimes, it’s important to distance ourselves from toxic relationships or situations that are harmful to us. In these cases, it’s okay to set boundaries and prioritize our own well-being.

Ultimately, the key is to trust in Jesus and let him be the anchor in our lives. When we put our faith and trust in him, we can find the strength and courage to overcome any obstacle or hurt that comes our way. So let us hold fast to Jesus and trust in his love and care for us, for he will never fail us. Now, trust takes time to build. Just as we must work to build trust in our human relationships, we must also work to build trust in our relationship with Jesus. This means taking time to pray, read the Bible, and seek out fellowship with other believers.

Trust in Jesus is a journey that takes time and effort. It is about gaining a deeper understanding of His teachings, learning to rely on His guidance, and actively incorporating His principles into our daily lives. Some additional ways to build trust in Jesus include reading and studying the Bible, prayer and meditation, attending church, and participating in fellowship with other believers. By dedicating ourselves to these practices, we can develop a stronger relationship with Jesus and increase our trust in Him. As our trust in Jesus grows, we will find that our lives become more fulfilling, meaningful, and peaceful. Here are some other ways to help strengthen our trust in Jesus:

1. One way we can strengthen our trust in Jesus is by meditating on his promises. For example, in Psalm 56:3, David writes, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” This verse reminds us that no matter what fears or doubts we may have, we can always trust in Jesus.

2. Another way to build trust in Jesus is by seeking out the guidance and counsel of other believers. When we open ourselves up to accountability and community, we can find support and encouragement in our faith journey. So let us be bold in seeking out fellowship with other believers and let us trust in the guidance and direction of Jesus for our lives. When facing difficult times with family and friends, it can be easy to feel alone and abandoned. But just as Paul knew that the presence of the Lord would sustain him, we too can find comfort and strength in the Lord’s presence.

3. Like Paul, we can trust that God will never leave us or forsake us, as he promised in Hebrews 13:5. We can also trust that God will use even the toughest of times to accomplish his purposes in our lives and fulfill our calling. As Paul wrote in Philippians 2:13, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” It’s important to remember that persecution and betrayal are unfortunately a part of the Christian journey. But as 1 Peter 5:10 reminds us, “After

you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.” And like Paul, we can have confidence that God will deliver us, whether in this life or the next. As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:18, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Let us hold fast to this promise and trust in the Lord’s love and care for us, no matter what challenges we may face.

In conclusion, when all others fail us and we feel betrayed and abandoned, let us turn to Jesus and trust in his love and care for us. Through prayer, meditation on his promises, and fellowship with other believers, we can strengthen our trust in him and find the strength and courage to overcome any obstacle. May we all find comfort and hope in the love of Jesus. Amen.