All alone

Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.

Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words.

At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.- 2 Timothy 4.9-16

It is the end and sadly Paul finds himself alone. Some he had sent off to minister but some had just abandoned him. Some loved the world more than God and some had even attacked him. At his last trial he stood alone and was sentenced to death.

I hate aloneness. My grandson AJ and I are alike that way. He we find Paul well and truly alone. You can sense his loneliness in his words. Get here as quick as you can. Please come before winter. Bring my cloak. Bring my books but especially the parchments. These were the manuscripts which would become the basis for our Bible.

There will probably be times in our lives when we are too feel like we are alone. But there is one thing we can be assured of even at our loneliest time. Jesus said He will never leave us or forsake us.

These are sad words, but Paul follows them with words of joy.

All alone, but not alone.