Day 40: Acts 18:9-11

“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”



Paul never seemed to get much time in any city. The cross of Christ was so revolutionary, so scandalous that the gospel stirred up trouble wherever Paul went. Paul was kicked out of more towns than we’ll ever know, being beaten, stoned, and generally treated badly as he went.


It’s no wonder then, that he was probably afraid for his life once again as he was in Corinth. There were many that opposed him and the teaching of Christ. A funny thing happened then. It just wasn’t in God’s plan for Paul to be run out of town like he had been before. God appears to Paul in a dream and tells him to stay put. God also tells Paul not to be afraid, and that no one will harm him. You can see the result: Corinth, being the heart of Greece, became a base for the gospel for a year and a half.


There will be many times in your walk with God that you are afraid. He may call you to things that you don’t even think are possible to do, or seem to take so much time and work that it seems impossible to complete. There will be times in your walk with God that you feel like you can’t go on, and there will be times in you walk when it seems like God isn’t there, almost as if you are all alone.


In these times, we have to remember that God is with us, and no matter what, he will complete what He has called us to do. Remember that it’s not incumbent upon us to get anything done: God does it. Remember that it’s not for us to save anyone: God alone saves.


If God is in something, it will get done to His satisfaction, regardless. If God is for you, no one can stand against you. If God is protecting you, there is no harm that can fall on you. He’s the God of the universe. All power is His. He can do that.


Sometimes when faced with problems and perils, we forget who God is and what He has called us to do. We should take God’s advice: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” There’s no one else I would want on my side.


As a Christian leader, there are many times God calls us to things that are scary or seem impossible to do. There are many times when even our very life will be threatened by those around us.


Remember, His plans are from before creation. What He has ordained will be accomplished; and God will use you to do it. You are invincible until your work here is done.


CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE: When God is in something, there is nothing that can stop it’s accomplishment. No matter the task in front of us, if God has called us to it, God will see us through it.


Here’s a set of verses to meditate on today: Isaiah 6


Prayer: Father, give me courage, reminding me that You are always with me. Let me always remember that if You’ve called me than You will complete my calling. In Christ’s name, amen.