There was another in the fire standing next to me. There was another in the waters holding back the seas.

S: Acts 14

O: In Lystra, Paul and Barnabas did not take credit for healing the lame man, and did not accept worship as Zeus and Hermes. As a result of this, and of Jews from Antioch and Iconium, the crowd turned against them and stoned Paul. In spite of the persecution, they were not deterred and continued preaching in Derbe, and even returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch to encourage the believers there.

A: Persecution and opposition didn’t stop Paul and Barnabas, and it shouldn’t stop us, either. God is more powerful than the forces of darkness. The people who hurt us are also victims of the Enemy, so we need to follow Jesus’ example (and, as we saw earlier in Acts, Stephen’s example) and forgive them, though it is hard. But the Holy Spirit strengthens and empowers us.

P: Father, help me to forgive and to persist in the face of trials and tribulations, and to always remember that I am your ambassador and need to represent you to the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.

We need to tell the world that Jesus loves them.

Our God is a miracle-working God and He can empower us.

In the face of persecution, trials and tribulations, Jesus is with us.