Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to Timothy. He had been treated horribly for preaching the Gospel, yet still, he wrote and encouraged others in the Lord.
Just before these verses, Paul explained how he had been forsaken so badly, yet he writes "But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me..."
I think it is all too easy to forget that God is there with us, and will deliver us. We need to keep this close to our hearts at all times, so God can give us the strength we need to be witnesses to others.
In verse 18 Paul reminds us that God will deliver us from every evil work, and He will preserve us for His Kingdom! He also humbled himself and gave God all of the glory for what he had come through.
My prayer for all who read this is that they never forget that God is with them, that He will give us the strength we need, and that He is going to bring us to His Kingdom when Christ returns! I pray this will be the Rock in which they stand firmly upon! Let all give glory to God, for without Him, we can do nothing. In Jesus' Name, Amen!
