Daily Devotions
Paul's Greatest Fear
Reading for May 9th: 1 Chronicles 25-27
Weekly reading for May 3-9: Acts 16-19
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."
Acts 18:9-10
Paul was afraid. It's hard to believe, isn't it? The mighty apostle who had gone toe to toe with hostile crowds everywhere he had preached, was scared when he came to Corinth. He would write later to the church, "I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling." (1 Cor 2:3) It's hard for us to conceive of Paul being this afraid, but he was.
I take some comfort in this. I can't tell you how many times fear has kept me from saying what I need to say or how many times it has prevented me from approaching someone with the gospel. The fact that Paul felt fear in teaching others tells me that he was human. He wasn't superman. He could feel fear just like we do.
The difference was that Paul recognized his own weakness. He didn't quit because he was scared. He depended on the Lord. He asked for others to pray that he would have courage to preach the gospel (Eph 6:19). Without help and strength from the Lord, Paul could not have been successful in boldly proclaiming the gospel.
If you are afraid of sharing the gospel with someone, you are not alone. Don't be afraid to admit your fear. Ask the Lord for courage. Ask others to pray for you. God will give you all the strength you need.
Father, give us courage to boldly proclaim Your word
