Listen to today’s devo!

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. (2 Tim. 4:16)

Expanded Passage: 2 Timothy 4:1-8, 16-18

David, Joseph, Jesus. Do you know what they all had in common? Each one of them knew the sting of being deserted by those closest to them. They were betrayed and misunderstood, rejected and mistreated. Their circumstances differed, but their perspectives stayed consistent: they were looking beyond their current trials to eternity.

Can you hear the words of Jesus even as they nailed him on the cross? “Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

How about Joseph’s response to his brothers as they bowed before him, fearing for their lives after all the wrong they had done? “Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you” (Gen. 45:5).

How could David serve and honor the king who was hunting him, and how could he still be in a relationship with the family who overlooked him? We see that ultimately he chose to submit himself to God’s purposes, trusting the Lord would work out his will in his timing. It’s only when the gospel message is the most important thing to us that we can see past our present pain to eternal purposes. Will you choose to live with a perspective like these heroes of the faith?

Trust God’s timing, focusing on his eternal perspective.

Nicole Wiencek is a passionate Christ follower, wife, mom, and pastor at Keystone Church in Saline, MI. She loves great food, coffee, and meaningful ministry-centered relationships.

© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.