“The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength.”
2 Timothy 4:17
One time at the end of a hospital chaplain training session, our leader shared from his own experience. He talked about surviving loneliness because he knew the Lord stood at his side, giving him strength.
Recently, the story of the Vietnam War “Napalm Girl” resurfaced. Kim Phuc was nine years old when a napalm bomb was dropped on her village, severely burning her. A photographer took a history-making photo of her. More importantly, he saved her life by rushing her to a hospital. Years later in a library in South Vietnam, she discovered a New Testament and read the story of Jesus. Eventually, she became a Christian. A 2020 Christianity Today article quotes Kim as saying, “My scar reminds me that God is with me. It is the mark that God stamped on my body to remind me he is there.”
There are times in our lives where we deeply feel the pain of our circumstances. The agony may linger, even for a lifetime. But you must know and believe that all the while the Lord through His Holy Spirit has been at your side, giving you strength to go on.
Recently, the story of the Vietnam War “Napalm Girl” resurfaced. Kim Phuc was nine years old when a napalm bomb was dropped on her village, severely burning her. A photographer took a history-making photo of her. More importantly, he saved her life by rushing her to a hospital. Years later in a library in South Vietnam, she discovered a New Testament and read the story of Jesus. Eventually, she became a Christian. A 2020 Christianity Today article quotes Kim as saying, “My scar reminds me that God is with me. It is the mark that God stamped on my body to remind me he is there.”
There are times in our lives where we deeply feel the pain of our circumstances. The agony may linger, even for a lifetime. But you must know and believe that all the while the Lord through His Holy Spirit has been at your side, giving you strength to go on.
Scripture Focus
2 Timothy 4:9-22
Insight
Never forget that God’s gift of peace is the gift of Himself by our side. We have nothing to fear when we belong to Him.
Bible In A Year
- Judges 12-13
- Psalm 115
- 1 Corinthians 7
