Today’s Reading: Acts 19:23-41; Psalm 7
Paul was wrapping up his ministry in Ephesus and making plans to go to Macedonia and Achaia before going to Jerusalem and then Rome. But before he could carry out those plans, trouble began to brew for him.
Those who made their money from the worship of false gods were losing business and creating accusations against Paul. A silversmith named Demetrius gathered together the other craftsmen and convinced them of the need to protect the profit-making industry surrounding the goddess Artemis. They took a posture of anger, causing confusion that led to a riot of historic proportion in the Amphitheatre. God rescued Paul from this intense situation, allowing Paul to leave and go to Macedonia and then to Greece, where he wrote the second letter to the Corinthian Church.
Paul was doing a good thing in Ephesus. People were given the freedom to choose the message of Christ over what the culture of Ephesus was promoting. They were throwing out their confidence in incantations and sorcery because they had seen the power of Jesus’ name, and they wanted to embrace all that God had for them. But the anger and jealousy of a small group of people caused confusion in the community and chaos broke out. Paul had to hold on to the words the Lord had spoken over him.
DO NOT BE AFRAID. SPEAK OUT. DO NOT BE SILENT. FOR I AM WITH YOU.
Reading through Acts 18 and 19 over the last few days has shed new light on what is happening in the state of Illinois right now. For over 40 years, pregnancy help organizations have been making a difference in the lives of both men and women. Hundreds of thousands of families have received resources and emotional support during difficult times, and the hope they have received has made a generational impact.
But there is a small group of angry people who are upset about what this community impact is doing to their own profit-making abilities, and they are doing everything they can to discredit the professionalism and authenticity of pregnancy help organizations. But we must stand confident in who we are, what we do and how we do it. The words of the Lord to Paul in Acts 18 are a good reminder to us of the Lord’s presence and protection.
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God. – Acts 18:9-11
Perhaps there are some voices in your life that are seeking to discourage you or shut you down. I pray this morning that you, too, will hear the truth that God is with you. I pray you will see the large number of believers in your life who are there to encourage you and shut out the voices of the few who seek to emotionally destroy you. You are created by God for a beautiful purpose, and you should never be ashamed of how God is calling you to live out your faith. I pray the Holy Spirit will fill you this morning, giving you the power and authority to do all that the Lord is prompting you to do in the lives of others.
DO NOT BE AFRAID. SPEAK OUT. DO NOT BE SILENT. FOR I AM WITH YOU.
Let’s pray Psalm 7 together:
Lord, I come to you for protection this morning. Save me from those who wish to make my life difficult or to stand in the way of what you have called me to do. May your righteousness at work in my life be evident to those around me. Thank you for being my shield — the One who saves those whose hearts are true and right. I am grateful for the reminder this week that you are with me. I will thank you, Lord, because you are just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. Amen.