”For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
Acts 18:10New International Version (NIV)
Acts 18:10 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)
I am with you
In Acts 18:10, God promised the apostle Paul that “He would be with him“. And consequently, “no one was going to attack and harm him in the city” that he was ministering in – at the time Paul was in Corinth.
Moreover, in Acts 18:9-10, Luke recorded that Paul had a vision. And in the vision, God told Paul “not to be afraid, but to go on speaking because He was with him, and no one would attack and harm him”.
Additionally, God also told Paul that “He had many people in the city”. And true to God’s promise to Paul, when the Jews made a united attack against Paul and took him to court, Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, completely dismissed their charges (Acts 18:12-16).
In fact, Luke records that “Paul did not even open his mouth” to defend himself (Acts 18:14). And when the Jews beat up Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, Gallio paid no attention to them (Acts 18:17).
Therefore, God was with Paul through His many people in the city of Corinth (Acts 18:10). And Paul was able to continue teaching the word of God in Corinth for an additional one and a half years (Acts 18:11).
Paul’s ministry in Corinth
But before God made a promise to Paul, he had walked from Athens to Corinth (Acts 18:1) – this is part of Paul’s third missionary journey (Acts 18-21). And in Corinth, he met Aquila, and his wife Priscilla, who later became his effective ministry helpers and business partners (Acts 18:2-3). He also reasoned with the Jews and the Greeks in the synagogue every Sabbath as he endeavored to persuade (convince) them (Acts 18:4).
Therefore, the gospel is based on evidence. And as a minister of the gospel, you must present the facts to your audience.
Additionally, Paul testified to the Corinthians that Jesus is Christ (Acts 18:5). But the Jews opposed the gospel and became abusive, he protested and determined to reach the Gentiles (Acts 18:6).
Consequently, Paul vacated the synagogue and taught in the house of Justus which was right next to the synagogue (Acts 18:7). And despite the opposition, Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, and his household were converted (Acts 18:8).
Furthermore, many other Corinthians heard and believed the gospel. They were also baptized.
Paul faced many challenges in the city of Corinth
Nevertheless, the Jews fiercely opposed Paul’s work (as earlier noted and as Paul revealed in 1 Corinthians 15:31). Of course, this was because when some of the Corinthians started to believe the Gospel, some others opposed the same.
But God encouraged Paul to continue ministering in Corinth because He would be with Him. Therefore, he would not come to harm because God had many people in that city.
Consequently, Paul did not leave/flee Corinth because of persecution as he had done before. God promised to be with him (Hebrews 13:5b) and He did so. And God will be with you just like He was also with Paul, Joshua, and many others before, as you go about His assignment.
Other ministry lessons from Acts 18:9-10
- God told Paul not to be afraid of the opposition. He told him to continue ministering – to keep on speaking and not to become silent. And this is what you must incorporate into your ministry.
- God didn’t tell (or promise) Paul that his ministry’s challenges would come to an end. He didn’t promise Paul a difficulties-free ministry. And this means that you will face various challenges, including difficult ones, in the course of your ministry.
Prayer
Lord God, I thank You for always being with me as I go about fulfilling Your assignment. Indeed, the promise of Your presence is sure. And I know beyond a reasonable doubt that You will keep harm away from me.
I thank You in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Blessing
May you give God thanks today, for always being with you. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Luke 21-22 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
