Acts 18:9-10 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.”

Paul faced plenty of opposition in his ministry, and sometimes even he needed a word of encouragement from the Lord. I’m reminded of a quote attributed to Mother Theresa: “I know the Lord will never give me anything He doesn’t know I can handle, but sometimes I wish He didn’t trust me so much.” This particular incident was interesting, because there was so much opposition that Paul stopped ministering in the synagogue, but God opened up a venue right next door. What further complicated things was that the “ruler of the synagogue,” an official position and title, believed and was baptized, but there were obviously other “movers and shakers” in the congregation whose opposition was severe. Like Paul, our situations are seldom simple, but God’s got it all sorted out. Here, He essentially assured Paul that Corinth wasn’t where he was going to be martyred, so to go for it in terms of ministry. We too need God’s guidance as to when and where to do what, because we simply don’t know, much less understand, all the factors involved. However, God isn’t ignorant of anything, so we all need to just rest, relax, and rejoice in Him, being faithful to do whatever He directs with all the strength He gives, for His glory.

I got a much better handle on the opposition Paul encountered through reading The Untold Story of the New Testament Church, by Frank Viola. It’s a rather massive volume, and I actually haven’t finished it yet, but I recently picked up a digital copy, for just $1, so I’ll be able to read it on my phone in situations where the print copy would be cumbersome. Paul’s biggest opposition was from people who were ostensibly believers, at least in the God of Abraham, and that’s something we forget. Likewise, my biggest conflicts have been within the wider Church, and some have been painful. However, as both our recent trip and our return to Omura have reminded me, God has given us many good friends and allies along the way. I am not to be afraid of opposition, just as God told Paul, but I am to speak God’s truth in love, whatever the reception. The owner of the vineyard is God, and I’m just a laborer in it. That is a high privilege, and I’m to rejoice in it, but I’m never to think I’m in charge. I too need to be pruned and shaped to bear more fruit! I am not to be intimidated by opposition, whatever form it might take, but rest in the assurance that in Christ I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You indeed for the love that has met us on our return to Omura. Thank You for prompting me a few minutes ago, in the middle of my devotions, to go water the garden. Help me recognize Your prompting in everything at all times, so that all of Your purposes for me may be fulfilled on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!