Speak Out! Don’t Quit! / David Jeremiah

 

Speak Out! Don’t Quit! Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10   We think of Paul as a superhero who wasn’t fazed by suffering, danger, or rejection. But if we could join him in Corinth, we might have found him near the end of his resources. In Acts 16 and 17, he was flogged in Philippi and run out of Thessalonica like a scoundrel. In Athens, few responded to his message. Going on to Corinth in chapter 18, he got a job making tents. When he tried to evangelize, he found rejection.

Recommended Reading: Acts 18: 1 – 11

That’s when the Lord said: “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t quit! For I am with you and no one can harm you. Many people here in this city belong to me” (Acts 18:9-10, TLB). Many souls in Corinth were ready to hear and respond to Paul’s Gospel. He stayed there a year and a half. Through whatever challenges we face, the Comforter will always be at our side, saying: “Don’t be afraid. Don’t quit. I’m beside you and will bless your efforts.”   God has use for the heart that no difficulties can deter. V. Raymond Edman