Do Not Be Afraid

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in the city. 

Acts 18:9-10 

Even as bold a person as the Apostle Paul was, from time-to-time, he needed encouragement. Christ graciously gave him this encouragement in the words of our text. He spoke to Him in the night by a vision. His first words were, ‘Do not be afraid.’ This tells us that even as spiritually strong a person as Paul was, he was subject to the same kind of issues we all have. He had to receive encouragement to not be afraid, to not be silent, that no one would attack or hurt him, and that many people in that city would receive the gospel. This encouragement was evidently successful because the next verse tells us he remained in Corinth for a year and a half. From that work came the church at Corinth. I and II Corinthians tell us the result of his labor there. Although the church was not without issues, it was vibrant and viable. Paul did what was most critically important in spite of his natural fears. As he described it, ‘And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.’ Thus, we understand he needed encouragement from Christ Himself, received it, and went on to fulfill his mission. We often need encouragement as well. When we need it most, Christ encourages us in the manner He knows will be most successful. We are here to preach Christ and He empowers us to do it. 

Our Good and Gracious God. 
We rejoice at the Grand Subject You have given us to declare. 
We praise You that subject is Christ. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning