You Never Stand Alone

“The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, ’Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.’” -Acts 23:10-11

Paul was almost torn to pieces because of how violet this dispute had become! This wasn’t the only time Paul faced fierce adversity and trials! Throughout his ministry he would be beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and stand before many people who were opposed to him. No matter how many times Paul had to stand in difficult situations, he would never stand alone. The Lord stood near Paul (v.11).

As you stand in uncomfortable situations for the Lord, He also stands there by your side! Others may not always walk with you through the thickest part of the battle, but you can walk in His Spirit who is ever present. Your feelings can seem to betray you, your health can leave you, and your associates, friends, or family could even abandon you, but the Lord will always stand with you!

The Lord spoke to Paul and told him he would need to testify about Him in Rome as he had in Jerusalem. Paul was much more familiar with Jerusalem and yet he faced fierce hardships in that city. Now he was being told to go to the city that represented the center of power for their Roman oppressors and share the Gospel as he did in Jerusalem. The Lord was telling Paul that there were more battles to be fought and more ground to take for His Kingdom.

Despite the adversity he had already experienced, Paul was ready and willing to run into the next big battle in the same way David ran toward Goliath (1st Samuel 17:48). Don’t shrink back because you have walked through chaos and faced trails. Retreating to comfort and safety may be tempting, but advancing the mission is our calling. The Lord will fight by your side as He did with Paul.

Get ready to move forward and take new ground for God’s Kingdom. The pain of progress may be a reality, but the Lord is with you and He has your eternal reward! Stand your ground and never stop advancing His good Kingdom work! You never stand alone!

Right on?

Read/listen to Acts chapters 22-24

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