Acts 18:9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!10 For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.”11 So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.
God comes to Paul in a vision and tells him He has his back. In other words, don't worry about attacking you because there are more people who are mine who will be for you! This is huge!! So far, almost everywhere Paul speaks the message of Jesus he is getting attacked physically and every other way and at times he is having to flee for his life. But now the Lord has spoken to Paul in a vision giving him God's assurances and Paul continued to preach at that location for a year and a half. Wow! Uninterrupted ministry from haters and Paul can preach and not fear for his life or for being discredited.
The Vision Killers are being held at bay by our Lord and Paul gets to develop some lifelong friends at Corinth. There is no greater fellowship than the true fellowship of being united with other believers for a central cause in ministry. For Paul this was rare, but God telling him "I Got Your Back" is the best assurance Paul could have gotten. As we see the sinful condition of Corinth, we see a city that needed extra care in developing the church fellowship. The Lord protected Paul in order to deepen those new converts in the Word.
When God has got your back you have a "hedge of protection" around you. When I am needing that "hedge" I call out to Jesus and He always comes through. Jesus can take what satan meant for evil and make it something good. Sometimes God shows He has your back by other believers coming alongside you and encouraging you, and that seemingly insignificant gesture will bear much fruit in your life. So realize today how strong your encouragement for others can be in their walk. It may just make the difference at a point in their life when they really need it. Barnabas was that kind of brother to Paul and God used the encouragement of Barnabas at a vital time to Paul. Now it was going to be important for other brothers and sisters to do what Barnabas alone had done in encouraging this "called" man named Paul.
Do you have others' backs who are trying to minister for the Lord? If not, why not? We are important parts of God's plan and God will show you what part you are as well. Whatever you do, do not be one who discourages, but be an encourager. This is the way of God.
The Pilgrimage Continues
David Warren
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