ACTS 18:5-11 – “When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”
THEME OF THE DAY: WE MUST LEAVE OUR COMFORT ZONES. Please go back and read today’s scripture again. Any surprises? What about the attitude of the Apostle Paul? It is easy to think the greatest Christian ever to live was always bold, always courageous, and always fearless. Not so. He suffered being afraid like all of us do. And the Lord met him in the night and encouraged him with these words – “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” But more needs to be understood about this type of being afraid.
The Apostle Paul suffered for the faith. He knew the price to pay for following Christ through uncompromising obedience. He also knew the weakness of his flesh and the power in fearing people. Both, if left alone, would lead to a compromising life of disobedience or selective obedience. And that is what unhealthy fear does. It silences our faith and paralyzes our obedience. And God will not leave us in this stagnant spiritual state. Like Paul, He will challenge us by “forcing us” out of our comfort zones into the very area where we are feeling afraid. For Paul? The fear of persecution for preaching so God gave Him the command to keep on preaching!
Apply this to us. Perhaps God is stretching our faith by impressing upon us to leave our comfort zones? Maybe witnessing? Maybe visiting widows and sick people? Maybe discipling a young believer? There are many aspects of the Christian life that are “scary” requiring us to get out of our comfort zones if we want to mature. And like Paul, God gives us the assurance of His presence and protection as we do – “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.”
So, growth in Christ demands we leave our comfort zones. Don’t be afraid. God will go with us as we leave them.
PRAYER: “Father, forgive me when I allow fear to keep me from walking by faith.”
QUOTE: “Faith only grows when tested and the testing is a decision we choose to live by feelings or faith.”