One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. Acts 18:9 NKJV
THE LORD SPEAKS IN A VISION TO PAUL
What a wonderful thing to happen to Paul!
God Himself speaks to Paul in a vision and encourages him.
Let’s look at the time frame surrounding the event.
The believers sharing their faith in the first century church were in danger of imprisonment, torture, and death.
They were fearful.
DO NOT BE AFRAID
The Lord speaks to Paul in a vision telling him not to fear but to continue speaking out and not to be silent.
Are there times when we believers in the twenty-first-century church are afraid of an angry scowl or an irate neighbor because of our stand for Christianity?
Are we intimidated by the words of another who is not receptive to our words of faith?
Do we consider shutting down our witness and stopping our mouths from praise and testimony?
TAKE COURAGE
May these words of God to Paul be a reminder and an encourager to us. We face so little in comparison. Yet we might someday have to face much greater opposition than we have before. Let us take courage and strength from God’s words and God’s Presence with us.
WE ARE NOT ALONE
We are not alone. Our Father in Heaven is still aware of our danger and all we face as we share Jesus with others.
He cares for us and tells us to keep on speaking and not to be silent.
MANY STILL NEED TO HEAR OF JESUS
There are many who still need to hear the Word of God and the hope of salvation in Jesus.
People are living and dying without being told the good news of Christ.
It is up to us to speak out and to do so despite the dangers around us.
God is stronger than all the opposition. We are not to be afraid as we stand and speak of Jesus, the Light of the World.