Persevere

Lately, I've been teaching through the book of Acts with my middle/high school students. I love the book of Acts. To see the beginnings of the church and the Gospel being sent out across the world is inspiring and exciting to say the least. But I was particularly moved by a passage in chapter 14 as I prepared to teach this past week.

Paul has began his first missionary journey and has come to Lystra and is being worshipped by the Greek people there. He healed a lame man and the people thought he was a Greek god come down in flesh, Hermes. They sought to offer sacrifices to him. He denounced their sacrifices,worship, and praise and began to speak to them about the Truth, Jesus Christ. The people would not listen though. But the Jews sought him ought from Iconium and Antioch, where he had been previously. I was utterly convicted by the Holy Spirit as I read the following:
"But the Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith..." [Acts 14.19-22a ESV]

You see, I, along with many other Christians, get frustrated when we have hurdles to jump or obstacles to overcome or resistance from others. We get frustrated and angered, or at least I do!! I was convicted because I get frustrated with minute opposition compared to what Paul endured. He was hunted down, stoned, drug out of the city, and left for dead. They thought he was dead. But yet, through all that, he got up and continued on to the journey which God had called him to. Not only did he continue on, but he returned to the same cities where he was stoned and sought after to be killed. He returned to the same people who sought to end his life. I have to admit that I have not even come close to this kind of opposition or persecution, but I am certain the Paul continued on because of 2 reasons. 1. He was called of God unto salvation and God had radically taken hold of his life. 2. He continued by the strength of God working through him (Col 1.29).

Lord, may I persevere through this life for the name of Christ against any and all obstacles and oppositions. May I daily draw from Your strength that You mightily work through me. Refrain me from my ego, my pride, my haughty thoughts. Help me forgive those who have sought to do injustice upon me and love them as You love them, sacrificially. Amen (Truth has been spoken).