You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
17
Notwithstanding [de] the Lord [kurios] stood [paristemi] with me, [moi] and [kai] strengthened [endunamoo]
me; [me] that [hina] by [dia] me [emou] the preaching [kerugma]
might be fully known, [plerophoreo] and [kai] that all [pas] the Gentiles
[ethnos] might hear: [akouo] and [kai] I was delivered [rhoumai] out of [ek] the mouth [stoma] of the lion. [leon] KJV-Interlinear
17 But the
Lord stood with me, and strengthened me, in order that through me the
proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear;
and I was delivered out of the lion's mouth. NASB
Paul lived in a unique time. It was a time following the crucifixion of Christ, which Paul did not witness, and of whom Paul never knew nor was concerned about during Jesus' life.
But then after that fateful day on the road when Jesus introduced himself to Paul, his life changed dramatically. He ended up living a life that he neither considered nor planned for himself.
And only after a few decades from perhaps the early 30's A.D. until the late 60's A.D., Paul lived a life of study and teaching and writing and never once looked back on his former life.
Paul had his assignment, to bring the gospel to the gentiles, Acts 9:15; 22:21; 26:17, Rom. 11:13, and it was to that end his life was dedicated and would not end until his work was completed.
During that time, his friends came to him and left him. None stood by him in his hour of need, but God was always there.
In the mean time, persecution of Christians was growing and accelerating and life for Christians was extremely dangerous. Paul could have been killed on many occasions. In fact there was a very organized conspiracy to plot the death of Paul, Acts 23:11.
But while Paul was alive, and more specifically while God had a plan for Paul, and while that plan remained incomplete, there was nothing on this earth that could interfere with his life.
Delivered out of the lions mouth is a general expression for imminent and certain danger, from which there is no earthly possibility of escape, and yet with God, there is always certainty of escape so long as His plan is in effect.
It would not be until after he had finished writing the last book that he was to write and after giving his final instructions as he always did after his writings, then and only then was his life forfeit in this world.
The world is full of dangers, from choking on a piece of food to flying bullets on a battlefield, from downturns of all types in business or employment or income, or relationships with people. When you are functioning within the scope of Gods plan for your life, there is nothing on this earth or in this universe that will prevent you, or take you, from Gods intended purpose for your life.
When you are not functioning within Gods plan for your life, due to your indifference, through your own self-defined plan, through your self-righteousness, through your sin, through your too busy for doctrine attitude, through your defiance or belligerent attitude, through whatever your 'better' priorities might be, then your life is forfeit at any time. And in that, God determines your life's timetable, not you.
Nobody could cause Pauls purpose to continue to its completion, except God. No one stood by Paul, only God stood by him.
And that is the same for you. This world will never back you, and never support you, and never promote you. Only God will do that. Only God is able to do that.
But only when you dedicate your daily life to His mandates, which are, confession, study, learning, understanding, application, and growth to wisdom and maturity. These are your priorities. Every other detail of your life will fill itself in as naturally as pouring water into a mold.
God takes care of all of the details, when you take care of the priorities He has placed before you.
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Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
