Acts 19:35 And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?

How many of us have rushed into a situation and made it worse by telling people exactly what we thought should happen?
We need to be conscientious about our work for God but we also need to be tolerant of local customs.

Do not think you can change the world just by telling them God is real and they must all change their ways immediately; allow God to work in their lives.

Show compassion to people and find out about them and their beliefs too.

Acts 19:34 But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

So how much do we put up with from others degrading or mocking us about Christianity? A lot!

How much should we be turning the other cheek? A lot!

Being patient and waiting for the right time, which God will show you, may take a whole lot longer than you anticipated!

Imagine waiting for over two hours whilst people chanted against you!

But God is faithful and just to deliver even if we grow weak and weary waiting.

Acts 19:28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

When we come up against the local beliefs and habit of people, we are going to find opposition when we try to speak about God.

God is all powerful and is Creator of everything, including the local peoples belongings; but be careful you do not exclude yourself totally through pride.

Be patient, be kind and treat people as you want God to treat them and God to treat you.

Allow God the time to work in peoples’ hearts; be persistent.