v 17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.
We have been reading this week about some of the difficulties linked with being a Christian and going on to try to explain what faith in Jesus really means in a difficult or even hostile environment. It is something worth talking about with Christian friends because none of us ever finds it easy. But even as you talk about it, learn to express the positives.
Just look at the positives in what Paul writes here ‘ But the Lord stood with me .. gave me strength …. rescued me from certain death.
Paul experienced God’s Presence, Power, and Protection.
Hang on to those three ideas because God will do just the same for you.
God’s presence with him was comforting, and reassured him that he was on the pathway God had called him to follow. He knew he was not on his own, but that the Divine Presence surrounded him
God’s power with him enabled him to preach faithfully and fully explain the Good News to those around him. This was more than human cleverness as his words challenged listeners to respond.
God’s protection rescued him out of a multitude of dangers, whether from drowning in a shipwreck, or a planned murder at the hands of opponents.
You too can share in this work of announcing the Good News to those around you.
God will stand with you as you set out to do so.
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