Encouragement to A Weary Soldier
Pastor
Cornelius R. Stam
During his ministry at Corinth, the strain of battle began telling
on the Apostle Paul. He found himself haunted by fear and depression.
Later he wrote of it.
“I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling” (ICor. 2:3).
It must not be supposed that fearlessness was characteristic of a
nature so sensitive as Paul’s. On the contrary, he was often
afraid. His, by the grace of God, was rather the courage that went on
braving dangers in spite of his fears.
After having left the synagogue at Corinth, the strain of meeting,
week after week, right next door, with all the embarrassing
situations inevitably involved, may well have caused some of his
followers, and possible himself, to question the wisdom and propriety
of the step he had taken, adding to his mental depression (though
this step, moving into the home of Justus, next door, was most
appropriate under the circumstances). But the Lord was to endorse the
act again in an unmistakable way.
It would appear from several passages in the Second Epistle to the
Thessalonians (especially II Thessalonians 3:1,2), that this letter
was written while Paul was becoming apprehensive about the work at
Corinth and that it was after this that the Lord appeared to him in a
vision to encourage him.
Let the reader try to place himself in Paul’s position while
reading Verses 9,10 of Acts 18 so as to appreciate its force more
fully:
“Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, BE NOT AFRAID,–BUT SPEAK,–AND HOLD NOT THY PEACE:–FOR I AM WITH THEE,–AND NO MAN SHALL SET ON THEE TO HURT THEE;–FOR I HAVE MUCH PEOPLE IN THIS CITY.”
Ah, tomorrow he could begin the work anew, assured in advance of
the outcome! Whether he “continued” in Corinth (Verse 11) a year
and six months longer or all together is perhaps impossible to
ascertain, but we know that his ministry there was exceedingly
fruitful.
How
God Saves Men
Believing
Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing
Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
ead
Acts 16L31 Romans 1:16, and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
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