Five Places that Paul Visited
“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.” Acts 14:15 ESV
As an apostle of the Lord, Paul had received power to perform miraculous signs for the sake of the Kingdom of God. During his time at Lystra, Paul took an opportunity to use this power, as he saw a crippled man sitting down, unable to use his feet. By the power of the Lord, he restored the man’s ability to use his feet! What happens next will shock you. Two groups reacted to this, but their reactions are misguided. One, the Gentiles, began to praise Paul and Barnabas, nearly sacrificing to them because they thought they were the Greek gods: Zeus and Hermes. And after Paul witnessed the truth to the Gentiles to call them to repentance and faith, the other group, the Jews, tried to stone Paul to death for preaching the Gospel. Thank God, Paul arose from the pain and bludgeoning stones to preach another day.
When sharing the message of Christ’s love with others, you may have those that are so overjoyed that they may even start to praise you! You may, on the other hand, have those who violently react, stoning you with words of hatred and ill treatment. To the first, simply direct their praise to Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith, the One who died on the cross to save them. To the second, be still and know that the Lord is God.Jesus can repay from His fullness all that is needed to soothe your pains. Christ was sent from Heaven to save you. So remember, even painful persecution works out for your good.
When all their labor seems in vain,
revive their sinking hopes again;
And when success crowns what they do,
oh, keep them humble, Lord and true
Until before Your judgment seat
they lay their trophies at your feet
Worship Supplement 780:3