This life presents us with many challenges, dangers, and threats. We cannot begin to imagine the degree to which angels are invisibly working to guard our lives and to bring us through times of suffering and pain. As the apostle Paul writes to Timothy, God is actively working on our behalf. He writes: “And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!” (2 Timothy 4:18). Paul faced many threats and dangers as he faithfully pursued the mission God had given him. He knew that God would preserve His life until that earthly mission was completed, and then he would go to God. A Christian saying goes, “We are immortal till our works are done.” It captures the same idea: God will rescue His servants in this life and then bring them safely into His heavenly kingdom. Paul had this confidence, and so can we, should we choose to follow Jesus as he did. Paul was not concerned with rhetoric and eloquence, though he was no doubt well able to do both. His primary and abiding concern was to know Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). Paul daily listened to God and did his best to follow Jesus’ directions. If we will do the same, whatever trials we face - and there will be many - God will deliver us!