Word Live: Never Alone
Think back to a time when you were in a difficult situation and things seemed to be going wrong or were not working out as you expected. What difference did your faith make to how you felt?
Bible passage
Acts 9:19b–31
19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, ‘Isn’t he the man who caused havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?’ 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Saul didn’t waste any time and began preaching immediately. This eventually riled the Jews in Damascus and he had to flee the city. When he got to Jerusalem, things were not much better. The Christians there were wary of his past reputation and refused to welcome him (v 26).
These troubles must have unsettled Saul and caused him to wonder what God was doing. However, he was not left to struggle on alone and that must have encouraged him greatly. God provided the support he needed to deal with each of the problems he faced: first, he received help from believers in Damascus who lowered him to safety from a window (v 25). Then, there was Barnabas who spoke up for Saul to the apostles, so the church in Jerusalem finally accepted him. Thirdly, there were Christians who helped him escape Jerusalem and got him to a safe place when his life was threatened again (v 30).
God doesn’t promise us a trouble-free life: Saul certainly didn’t have one! However, today’s reading encourages us that we can trust God to provide us with what we need to deal with any problems that come our way.
Author
Caroline Fletcher
Respond
Reflect on any challenging situations you are currently facing. Thank God that he will be with you and will provide you with what you need to cope.
Deeper Bible study
Thank God for the church to which you belong: the rough and the smooth, the easy and the hard, the noisy and the quiet.
Saul creates havoc wherever he goes. In Damascus his dramatic turnaround from persecutor to disciple results in astonishment, followed by conspiracy to murder on the part of former allies within the synagogues. Fleeing for his life to Jerusalem, he then evokes fear among the believers. Can such a radical change be possible? Is he the enemy within, a double agent? Finally, having been accepted within the church, his preaching and debating with the Hellenistic Jewish community result in further death threats. For his own safety, the firebrand is ushered out, first from the city and then to his home town, hundreds of miles away.
The most eloquent communicators of the gospel can sometimes also be the most provocative. There is no one more passionate than the new convert with a life-changing story to tell. Yet a dramatic testimony can evoke suspicion, even cynicism, as well as praise, not only outside but also within the church. Why? Because accounts of such vivid experiences represent a rude awakening to those stuck in their ways about what the gospel means. Like a rushing tributary they disturb the easy flow of the mainstream as well as raising profound questions for non-believers.
Barnabas is key to Saul’s acceptance by the Jerusalem church. Already known for his financial generosity,1 Barnabas displays a similar generosity of spirit in relation to the new convert. He sponsors Saul before the apostles, emphasising his conversion testimony and the fearless nature of his witness. Barnabas clearly has spent time getting to know him. He could perhaps sense the potential behind the combative character.
Are there some within your Christian community whose lifestyle and witness you consider over the top? Celebrate their enthusiasm and encourage their incorporation into the body.
Author
Brian Radcliffe
