The apostle Paul had been through so much during his service to the Lord! When he penned his second letter to Timothy (and the final letter we have from his hand), he referenced some kind of legal trial to which he had been subjected, and he stated, “No one stood with me, but all forsook me” (2 Tim. 4:16). How sad! When he looked around, no friends or advocates stood with him. He could literally see there was no soul beside him.
But then Paul stated, “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (4:17). What a great source of comfort that would be! But wait. How did he know the Lord stood with him? He could not literally see Him. How did he know? Paul knew the Lord was with him because He had made a promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). Paul walked by faith in the promise of Christ (2 Cor. 5:7), which to him was “proof of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1).
He knew the Lord was there! Do you? Christ made that same promise to you!