Todays Devotion (Acts 14-16) Do not be frightened, do not be weary, do not grow faint. The tribulations you encounter will only bring you closer to God. Please LIKE and SHARE on Facebook to spread the Good Word! And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. And there came thither (to or toward that place) certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe (Acts 14:18-20). Anytime there is a great spiritual awakening that results in salvation, you can be assured that Satan will seek to disrupt, discourage, and destroy its effect. This was as true in Biblical times as it is today. It should come as no surprise then, that everywhere Paul and Barnabas encountered people that were desperate to hear the Good News, they also faced violent opposition. While Paul was speaking at Lystra, his attention was drawn to a crippled man. The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly (firmly) beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked (14:9-10). Upon seeing this miracle and wrongly attributing it to their pagan gods, there were many in the crowd that began to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods in human form. Paul was horrified by their actions and immediately began to speak fervently to them about the living God. The crowd grew restless, and, led by certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, they stoned Paul and left him for dead. Paul and his companions faced similar situations everywhere they went. They acknowledged the suffering, but never complained or wavered in their dedication to God’s work. Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (14:22). Paul later credited the tribulation with drawing him closer to the Lord. I know both how to be abased (behave in a way so as to belittle or degrade someone), and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me (Phil. 4:12-13). We too should not be surprised when, following our best efforts to serve the Lord, we find ourselves faced with opposition. Satan constantly seeks to discourage us, often with words of criticism from the very ones we most expected to offer us encouragement. In these situations, we must remember that we are here on this earth to serve God, not man. The only approval that should matter to us is His. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ (Gal. 1:10). No matter what trials and tribulations we face here on earth, if we hold fast to our faith in Jesus Christ we have the assurance that even the worst suffering is only temporary. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away (Rev. 21:4). Excerpts from SBC / BiblePathway / Delaney Baptist Church
Posted on: Fri, 14 Nov 2014 15:02:41 +0000
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