WEDNESDAY March 17, 2021

St. Patrick’s Day

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit….”
Matthew 28:19

Today is St. Patrick’s Day. Patrick was born into a Christian family, but he had no real interest in the church. “He did not, indeed, know the true God.” As a boy, he was captured by slave traders and taken to Ireland. The people in Ireland were in deep spiritual darkness. The island was filled with magicians and pagan practices. Patrick believed God was chastening him for his unbelief, and he would pray night and day for forgiveness. Through the trials and sufferings Patrick endured in Ireland, he came to know Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

Finally, after six years, Patrick was able to escape Ireland by a ship that carried him back to his homeland––England. Upon arrival, Patrick began to study for the ministry. In a vision, God called Patrick to return to Ireland, and to preach the Gospel to the very people who had enslaved him. As Patrick traveled across the Irish countryside, he brought the Gospel of peace to the hostile, pagan Celts. It is believed, Patrick used the shamrock plant to explain the trinity. While ministering among them, Patrick wrote a poem of faith and trust in God, which he named the “Breast Plate:”

"Christ be within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ inquired, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger."

Into the spiritual darkness of Ireland, Patrick brought the Light of Christ. He set a good foundation for Christianity there. In obedience to God’s call to go to Ireland, Patrick was able to plant 300 churches. His ministry lasted 29 years, and 120,000 Irishmen were saved and baptized into the Christian faith. As Patrick faithfully preached the Gospel, such a fire of revival was lit among the people in Ireland.

Any man touched by Jesus Christ is good publicity for the gospel.
~Vance Havner~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!