Daily devotion: Strong in the Lord not weak like the world.
Strong Men and Women of God
“Then there came certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city…” (Acts 14:19-20)
I love this passage about the Apostle Paul. He was faithfully preaching Christ in the city of Lystra when hostile Jews stirred up the crowd against him. Their hatred for the Gospel became so violent that they stoned Paul and dragged his battered body outside the city, believing he was dead.
Yet what happened next reveals the heart of a true servant of God.
When I experience disappointment or face difficult situations, I have noticed that the Lord often stirs my soul with a fresh passion. The Holy Spirit ignites a renewed zeal within me, driving me to worship Christ more fervently, hunger for God’s Word more deeply, and proclaim His truth with greater urgency.
As much as I dislike disappointment, once it comes, it is as though God presses the nitro button. The fuel is poured into the engine, and I am propelled forward into God’s kingdom purposes with renewed determination. I cannot wait to gather with my brothers and sisters in Christ—those who have also been washed by the precious love of God, who desire to walk in His will, and who long to live lives that honour Him.
Paul could have responded very differently to what happened at Lystra. He could have retreated in fear. He could have quit the ministry. He could have allowed discouragement to overcome him.
But Paul was a man of God. He was neither cowardly nor feeble in spirit. Having brushed aside the stoning, he rose up and went straight back into the city to continue preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Lord declared through Ezekiel:
“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” (Ezekiel 22:30)
And Daniel wrote:
“But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)
God is still seeking such men and women today. He is looking for those who, when struck by disappointment, will dust themselves off and step back into the battle. He is looking for believers who, like Paul, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and Daniel, refuse to quit when difficulties arise.
These saints faced setbacks, struggles, opposition, and disappointment, yet they remained faithful. They did not follow the weak and compromising path of the world. Through the strength that God supplied, they endured, overcame, and fulfilled His purposes.
This is the life to which every follower of Christ is called. Not a life free from trials, but a life that presses on through them. A life strengthened by God’s Spirit. A life that rises again after every fall and continues forward for the glory of Jesus Christ.
May we be found among those who know their God, stand strong in faith, and faithfully continue the race until the day we see our Lord face to face.
May you be the one God chooses to stand for Him!