Ministry In Peace

Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10

What was this city Paul was so afraid to speak in? Corinth. Yes, the church of two known letters from Paul and more that are lost to history. He stayed there a year and a half to minister in peace. But the great apostle Paul needed the words of God to comfort and correct him. What great words might have been lost to us from the Bible had Paul been left to give in to his fear. And what was that great comfort of the Lord?

That the Lord was with him was certainly foremost, but there is that one about many people in this city. Apparently Paul had not met these people yet, or at least not the many the Lord spoke of to His apostle trembling by night. Like a certain group of frightened shepherds, the Lord Jesus had a message He wanted Paul to deliver, and He didn't want Paul to take off just yet.

We too live in a land where we can minister in peace. Some would have us keep it inside the walls of churches or houses. Others would rather that all churches be banned. But for now we are protected by the law of the land. However, I also believe that God would say the same of the United States of America as He did of Corinth. You and I have likely met only a few of the many people who belong to God in this nation, but our brothers and sisters in Christ are out there. Are they saved yet?

It is likely that many of God's many people in Corinth had not yet become found sheep. That would happen as Paul spoke and kept not silent while ministering the good news of Jesus the Christ. Indeed Paul's letters to the church in Corinth speak to us even today as the apostle did not keep silent in writing after he departed for other pastures. Praise God for His words of comfort to us!

Bucky