Which other Scriptures affirm God's strength and deliverance as seen in 2 Timothy 4:17? Focus Verse “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, 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.” – 2 Timothy 4:17 Old Testament Echoes of the Same Strength and Rescue • Exodus 15:2 – “The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” • Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous… for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” • Joshua 1:5 – “I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will never leave you nor forsake you.” • Psalm 18:1–2, 17 – “I love You, O LORD, my strength… my deliverer… He rescued me from my powerful enemy.” • Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” • Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you… I will strengthen you and surely help you.” • Isaiah 43:2 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… the flames will not burn you.” • Daniel 6:22 – “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me.” (Direct parallel to Paul’s “lion’s mouth.”) New Testament Reinforcements of the Theme • Matthew 28:20 – “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” • Acts 18:9-10 – “Do not be afraid… for I am with you, and no one will attack or harm you.” • 2 Corinthians 1:10 – “He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again.” • 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” • Ephesians 6:10 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” • Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” • 2 Thessalonians 3:3 – “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” • Hebrews 13:5-6 – “I will never leave you nor forsake you… The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” • 2 Peter 2:9 – “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials.” • Jude 24 – “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless…” Shared Threads Running Through These Passages • God’s nearness: He “stands by” (2 Timothy 4:17) just as He promises to be “with” His people everywhere else. • Strength poured in: Paul is “strengthened,” echoing every verse where God supplies power beyond human ability. • Purpose beyond rescue: deliverance is tied to proclaiming the gospel—mirroring Israel’s deliverance to declare God’s glory and every believer’s strengthening to serve. • Repeated assurance: from Moses to Paul, the unchanging character of God ensures the same faithful intervention. Living in the Confidence of These Truths The God who shut Daniel’s lions’ mouths and stood by Paul in a Roman court still stands by His people today. His unfailing presence equips us to speak boldly, endure hardship, and trust His certain rescue—whether from literal danger or in the final deliverance into His heavenly kingdom. |
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