Opposition

Paul sets down the diverse assistance he found from both God and man in the preaching of the gospel. As for men, when Paul was most in need of comfort, he found that they dealt unfaithfully with him. Demas, a man of great note, in the end forsook him. Alexander the coppersmith did him most harm. And weaker Christians forsook him as well. But mark the wisdom of God in the apostle in his different reaction towards these people. Demas, because his fault was greater by reason of the eminence of his profession, Paul brands him to all posterity by saying he went back to the world (2 Tim. 4:10). Alexander's opposition, because it sprung from an extreme malice towards the professing of godliness, Paul curses, 'the Lord reward him according to his works' (2 Tim. 4:14, 15). The weaker Christians, who failed him because they lacked a measure of courage yet retained a hidden love to the cause of Christ, their names Paul concealed and prayed that God would not lay their sin to their charge (2 Tim. 4:16). Yet see what large encouragement he had from heaven! Though all forsook him, 'God did not forsake me, but stood by me, and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion' (2 Tim. 4:17).
Sometimes God allows his children to be forsaken, that they might fly to Christ. Our hearts do not naturally cling to God and are soon ready to join with anyone or anything else. We must see the excellencies of Christ and cling and adhere to him. This will soon take the soul away from resting upon lesser props. David said, 'My hill is strong, I will never be moved' (Psa. 30:6-10). Earthly things, such as riches, honours, and friends are not given to us to be a sure foundation to rest upon, but for comforts on our way to heaven. Whatever comfort there is in the earthly things the soul will spend quickly and still look for more; whereas the comfort that we have in God, 'is undefiled, and fades not away' (1 Pet. 1:4).

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Experience Triumphing, Works, vol. 7, pp. 408-09
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