Great Conversations

S – Acts 18: v 9

 

‘One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." 11So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.’

 

O - This is a great conversation that Paul had with God. Like so much of his life there was harassment, threat and resistance. There must have been many times in his humanity Paul felt the fear and aloneness of his Mission. In this conversation the Lord enforces all the needed foundational strength; don’t be afraid, keep speaking, resist the temptation to be silenced in the face of opposition. This thought no doubt must have often challenged Paul, why bother? Then comes the promises along with the empowering that the Lord had many people in the city. The lord must have wanted Paul to know that he was not alone. Apart from His presence there were many of the lord’s people no doubt standing in faith and praying and representing a powerful presence in the city.

 

A – I have the need for great conversations like Paul’s with the Lord. How easily I succumb to thoughts that we are alone. Their can be so much noise and contrary expression around that causes me to lose the bigger perspective. I am not alone; The Lord is with me; there is protection. There is also many around and with me in the Mission. I see that there is great strength in the many of the Lords people. I need to be refreshed in this power and fellowship and not allow thoughts of aloneness to take root.

 

P – Lord I thank you for your provision and promise. I thank you that you see always the strength of the presence in your people in any place or locality. Thank you that we are never alone in the Mission.