Devotion for Wednesday in (3rd Week after Trinity Sunday), 13 July 2011 Anno Domini

Devotion for Wednesday in (3rd Week after Trinity Sunday), 13 July 2011 Anno Domini
“19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.” (Acts 14:19-28)

“And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.” A heart set upon wickedness knows no hardship of distance or effort. These Jews traveled a great distance seeking to destroy Paul and the Gospel which he preached. Being restless in their evil designs, they were filled with the hot blood of contempt for Christ. We are told that they “persuaded the people” through deceit and polished words, perhaps, but the people themselves are not innocent. When we, like Eve, stop to listen to a wicked voice, we also bear responsibility for the evil that follows. Please remember that the same crowds who shouted Hosanna to Christ in welcoming Him into Jerusalem were the same who cried out for His crucifixion five days later after being “persuaded” by the Jewish leaders. Now, the same Saul (Paul) who oversaw the stoning of Stephen faces the same inhumane treatment from the opponents of truth.

“Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.” Though there were great numbers of wicked people in Lystra, there was still a remnant of believers who gathered around the body of Paul grieving. Perhaps the day shall come when the chosen in Christ will understand that not a single hair of the head of a disciple will be lost to violence. As these were expecting a funeral, Paul decided not to be a part of such an event and rose up. He immediately went into the city (a fearless journey in view of what had just transpired), and departed the next day to Derbe. It seems that among those who believed, there was one who would become special to Paul – Timothy. (see Acts 16:1-3)

“And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Though many enemies lay in ambush always in these cities, Paul was undaunted and did not allow fear to deter him from the mission to which God had called him. Who better to exhort to continuance in the faith than Paul who had now faced much tribulation – even stoning! Perhaps a brief discussion of the purpose of tribulation is in order here at this point. God is not always the author of tribulation. It is the natural outcome of preaching truth in a world of deceit and bitterness. But God will always use tribulation to strengthen and purity His saints. “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” (Mal 3:3) Purification requires fervent heat and the nature of the metal is altered and made more resplendent in its character. The refinement of silver is a process in which the refiner sits at the fire and heats the silver until it becomes a liquid, molten mass. He then skims the impurities from the surface, and heats again – each time skimming the impurities from the surface. He performs this purification seven times the seventh of which enables the Refiner to look into the purified silver and view His own likeness reflected in the silver. It is through this process that we become more and more like Him. “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” (Psalms 12:6) It is the Word, and the promptings of the Holy Spirit, whereby we are purified. The mode of purification may vary: “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48:10), but always intended for our consummate good.
“And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.” Before a man is confirmed by the church in his calling, he must first be aware of it. The Church here has chosen their called out men and, after much prayer and fasting, these were commended to the Lord by whose authority all acceptable witness is performed.
“And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.” It is perfectly normal to return, after a successful ministry to which the church has called us, to return to the calling Church and give an account of all that has transpired. This is a courtesy that the sponsoring church deserves. It also strengthens the sponsoring church in its testimony and resolve to continue missions.
“And there they abode long time with the disciples.” This is possibly the most blessed of sojourns for a minster of the Gospel. What a comfort and a lovely pleasure to be among those of strong faith and one mind with Christ. It is ample reward for all the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” hurled against the preacher when in a strange country. It is a blessed experience we all feel when we attend our National Convention in the AOC. We are reluctant to leave the place where love is so profuse and freely shared. May each of us abide forever with the disciples of Christ.