And when they had preached the gospel to that city and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch (Acts 14:20)
One of my favorite sayings is: “Everyone has a plan until he gets punched in the face” What I like about the saying is the stark reality that none of us deal well with obstacles or opposition. We want to be liked and we want the way to be smooth. Obstacles and opposition cause us to reconsider our path and our commitment. It should not come as a surprise to us however, that the Bible teaches us to move forward in spite of clear opposition. The path that the Bible teaches will be straight if we lean not unto our own understanding and in all ways acknowledge Him (Proverbs 3:5,6), in fact, might lead directly through trouble. But it is trouble that we can make it through if we keep our focus on doing God’s will.
Paul and Barnabas were preaching the Gospel in Iconium and Lystra. Iconium proved to be dangerous; so after they spoke they fled to Lystra and continued preaching. While there opposition caught up with them, stoned Paul, dragged him out of the city and left him for dead. His followers collected him and he and Barnabas went to Derbe. But the text shows that they returned to both Iconium and Lystra. That is where the harvest was. That is where the work was. That was where God could give them the sure victory. As Christians, we have to be careful about shying away from battles. There is a battle raging between good and evil. A battle which cannot be won if it is never fought.
Reflect today about opportunities you may have to speak up and confront people and circumstances that clearly are not right. Pray for the courage to face the obstacles and opposition to God’s work in his creation.
Deacon Larry Woodard
One of my favorite sayings is: “Everyone has a plan until he gets punched in the face” What I like about the saying is the stark reality that none of us deal well with obstacles or opposition. We want to be liked and we want the way to be smooth. Obstacles and opposition cause us to reconsider our path and our commitment. It should not come as a surprise to us however, that the Bible teaches us to move forward in spite of clear opposition. The path that the Bible teaches will be straight if we lean not unto our own understanding and in all ways acknowledge Him (Proverbs 3:5,6), in fact, might lead directly through trouble. But it is trouble that we can make it through if we keep our focus on doing God’s will.
Paul and Barnabas were preaching the Gospel in Iconium and Lystra. Iconium proved to be dangerous; so after they spoke they fled to Lystra and continued preaching. While there opposition caught up with them, stoned Paul, dragged him out of the city and left him for dead. His followers collected him and he and Barnabas went to Derbe. But the text shows that they returned to both Iconium and Lystra. That is where the harvest was. That is where the work was. That was where God could give them the sure victory. As Christians, we have to be careful about shying away from battles. There is a battle raging between good and evil. A battle which cannot be won if it is never fought.
Reflect today about opportunities you may have to speak up and confront people and circumstances that clearly are not right. Pray for the courage to face the obstacles and opposition to God’s work in his creation.
Deacon Larry Woodard
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