Summertime StoriesSample

Acts 18:9 

9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, "Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me." So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.

We pick up in Acts 18 after Paul moved from Athens to Corinth. As was his custom, Paul went straight to work preaching to the Jews and Greeks that Jesus was the Messiah. As we read in verses five and six, Paul faces opposition and insults. After this, in a symbolic gesture, Paul shakes the dust off his garments and declares that from that point on, he would only preach to the Gentiles. 

Later on, the Lord speaks to Paul in a vision and instructs him to stay and continue to preach since the Lord would protect him from harm. After this vision, Paul decides to stay in Corinth and preach the word of God for the next year and a half. We see later on in the chapter how God protects Paul from false accusations as he is brought before the governor of Achaia.

From verse nine, we can be sure of a couple of things: God is ever-present, and He is faithful. He told Paul to speak out and not to be afraid because He was with him and protected Paul when he needed protection showing His faithfulness.

If you find yourself in a season where you need to be reminded of God’s faithfulness or His protection, just take some time and reflect on moments in the past when He has been. Our God is ever-present, and His faithfulness is great.