Strengthened and Encouraged

 

At first, the townsfolk thought they were gods come down from wherever their gods came down from, and wanted to worship and make offerings to Barnabas and Paul.  Then they completely flipped and targeted Paul for stoning.  They dragged him out of the city and left him for dead.

That had to have taken a toll on Paul's body but he got up, and went back into the city, perhaps to recuperate and have a night's rest.  But the next day he was off to Derbe, preaching.

I try to imagine the pain he must have been in unless there had been divine healing.  But he did not dwell on it.  He and Barnabas are seen to be ...

 " ... strengthening and encouaraging the disciples in that city."

There does seem to be a hint of his discomfort though as they remark to these believers, 

"that through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God" (v 22).

Barnabas and Paul were able to stay on point through it all.  It reminds me of Jesus who set His face - always with the purpose of His mission in view.  No matter what He encountered from the crowds or the religious leaders, His compass was set and He continued towards His mark; that is, the cross and the plan of salvation.

Many churches have their set visions and missions and purpose statements.  It's good to take note, not only of our own individual work the Lord sets before us but to also be a part of what's happening in the body of Christ in our local church.

May we too be,

"[strengthened] in our souls, [encouraged] to continue in the faith ..." (v.  22) and by these, endure persecution and tribulations."

Then with 

"prayer and fasting, commit ourselves to the Lord in whom [we] have believed" (v. 23).

                                                   ~  ERC  March 2026  ~

Based on Acts 14:22-23 ESV.

Sing, My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less (On Christ the Solid Rock), along with Reawaken.