2Ti 4:16-17, 16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, … So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth.
Paul in ministry built many friendships but felt abandoned in his hour of need. At his first defense at the courts in Rome, no friend appeared to witness, defend, or plead his cause. He felt it and voiced it. But even with a heavy heart he asked the Lord to pardon them.
He moved from disappointments to triumph, he said “But the Lord…” God gave him extraordinary wisdom and courage, to speak boldly and with eloquence. He may have remembered the words of the Lord, “18 You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.” (Matt 10:18-20).
When he had nobody to keep him in countenance, God made his face to shine. God delivered him from the mouth of the lions (those who wanted to destroy him). When you have “but the Lord.”, you will be quick to forgive friends, family that disappoint you as you pray for them, leaving them in His hands. “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.”(Psa 118:8).