“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “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.” Acts 18:9
Do not be silent . . . for I am with you. Paul had a purpose and an assignment to fulfill in Corinth. His Master, Lord and Savior was giving Him direction and guidance as to His heart for the city. Why the need of encouragement? We don’t know. But nonetheless, Jesus himself took it upon Himself to tell Paul, “I am with you and no one is going to attack and harm you” Was Paul battleing fears? Perhaps. But the directive came forth . . . do not be silent – for I am with you.
I am with you
What comforting words. Jesus has said the same thing to us. He said I will never leave you nor forsake you – Hb 13:5. So now we can say confidently, “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear, what can man do to me?” Or, we can put someone elses name in there that is a challenge to us – “I will not fear, what can _______________ do to me?
I have many people in this city
Jesus knew it, did Paul? That there were many people in the city? Maybe not . . .maybe fear was facing the fears and not seeing what Jesus saw so the Lord was encouraging Paul to see what He was seeing. Do we see what Jesus sees? We could all use this encouragement in our lives since we all face challenges, fears, apprehension and need direction. In this story Paul was given a fresh vision and how to deal with the fear . . . by knowing that the Lord was with him. And as a result he was not to be silent.
Lord today I too can speak up, knowing you are with me. You will never leave me. As I walk with you your promise is to help me . . .and I too want to see what you see for this city . . . Amen
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