Acts 18:9-11

    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." So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

 

I tend to think of Paul as the fearless one. But the Lord’s vision for Paul said, “Do not be afraid.”

 

This was Paul’s second missionary journey. It was not going smoothly. Before Athens and Corinth, where Paul had relatively peaceful experiences, Paul endured Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. Philippi was going well until Paul cast a demon out of a slave girl; then her masters had Paul and Silas arrested, beaten with rods, and thrown in jail. When they got out of Philippi by God’s grace, they went to Thessalonica, where a mob of angry Jews stirred up trouble looking for Paul and Silas, who had to be sent away. Even in Berea, which was initially receptive, Paul had to be sent away because the angry Thessalonian mobs pursued him with disturbances. Paul had reason to be afraid.

 

But Jesus told Paul to keep on speaking. He commanded Paul not to be silent. Believers may stay silent because of fear. But the Lord wanted none of that for Paul; fear was not supposed to drive Paul’s decisions. Paul was to speak.

 

Paul was to speak mainly because Jesus Christ was with him. It may not have felt that way at times, but those who have Jesus Christ should live like they fear nothing and no one but Jesus. What does such a life look like? “Keep on speaking.”

 

Jesus promised Paul at this time, “No one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” What does this mean? It could be that Jesus is saying that His people will defend Paul, because there are enough of them here in Corinth to protect him. Probably not, though. After Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, where Paul saw some fruit but quickly had to leave, I think Jesus was telling Paul that here, finally, he would get a chance to see many people come to know Jesus. He wouldn’t have to leave after just seeing a few. What an encouragement for a wounded minister! Paul would have time to rest, heal, minister… and see fruit! “Keep on speaking… because I am with you… and I have many people in this city.” Jesus had allowed the prior cities to beat and abuse Paul, apparently, to keep him moving on, because those cities were not going to bear more fruit.

 

But here in Corinth, Paul was able to stay for a year and a half. Without being beaten. Just working at teaching the church. For a year and a half, Paul spoke the Word of God in peace.

 

Father, may those of us who have the opportunity to speak Your Word in peace rejoice! And may we not fear, but boldly go on proclaiming Your Word. Forgive us who live in relatively peaceful situations and still neglect to speak Your words to people. Help us to obey You – not stop being afraid. Help us to speak. And help us to speak consistently, whether we have peace or pain. May we speak consistently because You are with us. When we have to carry on our work in the face of danger, may we still speak without fear until we are forced to leave. Thank You, though, that there are times when You give Your servants both Your presence and the assurance that they will have times of peace, rest, and fruitfulness. What an encouragement!