It seems that in the hour of trial or discouragement the Lord always stood with Paul. While he was preaching the gospel in Damascus there was such a stir as they were after Paul, and yet the Lord was with him. While he was preaching in Lystra, they stoned him and thought he was dead, and yet the Lord was with him. While he was preaching the gospel in Philippi, he was beaten and placed in stocks in the inner prison, and yet the Lord was with him. While he was preaching in Thessalonica, he had to escape from the city under the cover of darkness, and yet the Lord was with him. He was rejected by the Athenians, and yet the Lord was with him. While preaching in Corinth, the Lord needed to remind Him – (Acts 18:5-11), and yet the Lord was with him. While preaching in Ephesus, he had to escape from the city after a riot broke out, and yet the Lord was with him. While in Jerusalem the Jews set out to kill him, before he was rescued by the Roman guard, and yet the Lord was with him (Acts 23:21-25).
Even though Paul was left alone by men (all having left except Luke) Paul was not alone. Jesus was with him so he could preach the gospel. I want to remind us this morning, that when life becomes difficult, and even seems unbearable at times, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ never leaves us nor forsakes us
(Deuteronomy 31:6-8) (Psalm 37:25) (Psalm 37:28) (Isaiah 41:10) (Isaiah 43:1-5) (Hebrews 13:5)
The Lord always stands with His saints!