Have you noticed that things fail when we need them the most? The only time my car won’t start is when I’m running late for work. My computer only glitches when I have an important Zoom meeting. HVAC systems fail exclusively on days above 100 degrees and days below 0. Why is that?
The Apostle Paul made the same observation about friendship. He knew that his execution was near when he asked Timothy to hurry and come to help him. He wrote, “Do your best to come soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:9-11)
Why did Paul need Timothy to come? Verse 13 says that the only things Paul asked him to do were to bring him a coat and some books. Couldn’t the courier who delivered the letter to Timothy have come back with those? I’m sure he could have, but this was a time when Paul needed a faithful friend. Timothy didn’t need to bring anything, fix anything, or help with anything. He just needed to come. That’s what a faithful friend does.