Tuesday 9 May 2023

May 9: Acts 14:19-28

Key Verse: Acts 14:23
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Devotion:
Forgive me if this comes to you later than normal, I have been downed with a migraine for a while. I read through this passage and wondered what it was the Lord should have me write – probably because my head is still not quite there too. After reading it a couple of times I realised it was about persistence; Paul and Barnabas were on a mission for God and they were not going to back down!

When the Jews heard about them teaching people about Jesus, they put together a posse which came to reaffirm their grip on the people. I say posse because of what they wanted to do to Paul. They took him outside the city walls and tried to stone him to death because of the work he was doing. There have been times I wanted to get rid of some people for disrupting the work I have been doing, but never to go as far as they did.

The truth should be what wins all the time. Paul and Barnabas were trying to get people to understand there is hope in the truth and the only way to get to be with God in Heaven is through His Son Jesus Christ. This is the truth which Jesus Himself had tried to teach the disciples and all who would listen through persistently telling the truth to them.

As we step forward to work with God we have got to uphold the truth which He gives us and continue to give that truth to people no matter what opposition we come up against. Sometimes you do have to leave the area and wait for the dust to settle before coming back, and other times you have to stand up and continue reaffirming the truth whilst facing that opposition. Listen to what God wants you to do and try hard to obey Him.

Points to Ponder:
Do you get opposition for doing God’s Work?

Do you wait for God to guide you forward?