January 29, 2012

Acts 14:19-28 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Matthew 9:27-38, Psalm 22:1-11, Genesis 48

Journal Entry

Scripture

(v19) But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. (v20) But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. (v21) When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, (v22) strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Observation

At Lystra, the crowd of people who had been so moved by Paul & Barnabas earlier were turned against them by those enemies who did not believe in the message of Christ. A violent attack focused on Paul and the stoning he received left him nearly dead. After the mob left Paul broken & battered, his disciples came to him and prayed over him. In a miraculous healing, Paul immediately recovered and was able to continue on his missionary journey to the next city of Derbe, where he preached and converted many to Christ. After his stay in Derbe, Paul returned back to Lystra and other cities he had visited earlier. He did so despite the enormous personal suffering he experienced in those places, because his love for the newly converted was so deep.

Application

Paul’s faith gave him the courage to continue to spread the Good News to those who were unsaved, even as forces of evil tried to kill him. In Lystra, Paul must have known that God was truly with him, as he made his amazing recovery from the stoning attack. I am reminded in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 a foundation of his courage: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal”.

Prayer

Dear Lord,
Help me to always remember that you are all powerful and that you can overcome any challenge, if it is your will. That you give protection & comfort to those who believe in you and that your Holy Spirit is with us.
In Jesus name, Amen

--john p