Friday 19 May 2023

May 19: Acts 18:9-17

Key Verse: Acts 18:10
For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.

Devotion:
Paul went through many trials as he continued to tell people the gospel truth and this is just one of many he had to face. Every time you step out and tell people the truth you will get people who stop and listen, people who ignore you and people who object and try to stop you. Listening to God to find out where He wants you to be is the first step in your journey as a disciple. He wants to protect you and care for you so as long as you continue to stay close to where God wants you to be, you will get the best protection possible.

I think of this like going into a game reserve where the animals are able to roam wild. If you stay on the roads and keep in your car you will be as safe as possible on your journey. Once you start straying off the road you will find out there are more obstacles you have to overcome; some of them may well stop you in your tracks and force you to get out of the car. Once out of the car you are no longer protected and may end up face to face with a dangerous animal.

The world revolves around laws and rules. Without them we would be in chaos as each person wanted to do their own thing. The chaos would make for very uncomfortable times as well as very exciting time, much more of a roller-coaster ride through life than in a normal semi-controlled society.

God does not want you to be so limited by human rules and regulations that you cannot follow Him; but He does want you to obey the local rules so you are kept relatively safe. It is the greed and pride of some people which spoil life for the rest of us, the ones who corrupt the laws and force new rules on people just because they are in a position of power or have the money to do so. God wants you to find and follow the truth.

Points to Ponder:
Do you find people stop you talking about God?

Are you sure you are where God wants you to be?