Day 3: God is WITH Paul
If you were to think about what your life was like before you began to trust in Jesus verses what it has been like since you began to trust in Jesus, you would see some significant differences. To say Paul’s life was different before he trusted in Jesus would be a huge understatement. Before trusting in Jesus, Paul affirmed the death of Stephen. Before trusting in Jesus, Paul did everything he could to destroy the Christian church (See Acts 8:3, 1 Corinthians 15:9).
Due to his background, it would make sense that, after trusting in Christ, Paul would receive immense opposition from others for his ongoing ministry. Other followers of Jesus occasionally questioned whether they should trust Paul, due to his past persecution of Christians. Similarly, other Jewish leaders hated Paul because he taught about Jesus, which went against many of their traditions. If anybody was ever between a rock and a hard place, it was Paul. How did God respond in encouragement to Paul?
In Acts 18, God speaks to Paul in a vision. God says, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
As you read today, consider this: What problems was Paul facing?
READING:
What problems was Paul facing?
How do you think Paul felt throughout these experiences?
F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)
Read: 1 Samuel 9 & 10
Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method
Heavenly Father, it’s sometimes easy for me to think that my life and Paul’s are so drastically different that there’s not much I can learn from him. But reading about Paul this week has helped me to see that my life, like his, was very different prior to me trusting in You. And just as Paul experienced, my life has been very different since the moment I placed my trust in You.
Today, I am grateful for the reminder that just as You were with Paul, so You are with me. Just as You were with him in his persecution, so You are with me. Whether it’s in persecution or other hurts I have experienced, You have been and will continue to be with me through it all. Thank You! In pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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