Title: A Helper That You Can Depend Upon
Text:
Philemon 1:24 (HCSB)
24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my coworkers.
Colossians 4:14 (HCSB)
14 Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas greet you.
2 Timothy 4:10 (HCSB)
10 for Demas has deserted me, because he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.
Observation:
I always read with interest what people have to say when they reached the end of their earthly journey; there is much that they have to offer if they have been faithful servants of the Lord. Listen to what Paul said to a group of church leaders of the church at Ephesus near the end of his life.
Acts 20:27-31 (HCSB)
27 for I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole plan of God.
28 Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
29 I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 And men will rise up from your own number with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them.
31 Therefore be on the alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears.
Now, this is the part that grips my soul.
Acts 20:36-38 (HCSB)
36 After he said this, he knelt down and prayed with all of them.
37 There was a great deal of weeping by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him,
38 grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they escorted him to the ship.
O, the brevity of life and the fragility of life in this world. Not all relationships work out. I am particular interested in the brief account of one of the men that is mentioned in Paul's second letter to Timothy, which was also written near the end of his life. One of Paul's co-laborers turned out to be unfaithful, and this is always painful. Demas was a man who walked and served with Paul for a season, but he deserted Paul. Life is hard, and departures of all kinds are hard.
Some will be faithful; others may desert you; but the servant of God is never left alone to do the work that God calls and chooses you to do. People may be unfaithful, but God will be forever faithful. Be faithful to God, and leave the rest to Him.
Hebrews 13:5-6 (HCSB)
5 Your life should be free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
6 Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Prayer:
Father God, my dear Father, I am so glad that You are a forever God, and that with You a promise made is a promise kept. Lord, I long to be called by You a faithful servant. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
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Psalm 119:105 (HCSB)
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.
Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
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