WEDNESDAY July 12, 2023
Abandoned to Their Fate
And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 13:49-52
The book of Acts is filled with accounts attributed to the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul and Barnabas were men filled with the Holy Spirit, and we see the lasting results of a revival as they unashamedly shared the Gospel of Christ. All through Galatia, God’s Word continued to spread. As God’s work was thriving, once again there was opposition. Despite rising persecution, what did the Holy Spirit do? He brought joy to the disciples’ lives.
Who did the Jews stir up against the disciples? People in positions of authority––prominent women and chief men of the city. They had the means to force them out of the region. What did the disciples do in response? “They shook the dust off their feet.” This is something the disciples did; it was what Jesus had told them to do:
“Wherever you go, stay in the same house until you leave town. And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate” (Luke 9:4-5 NLT).
Whenever you preach the Word of God, expect persecution. Sometimes prominent city council leaders or even people in government will set rules and regulations to stop you from speaking the truth of God’s Word. That is persecution. They can do whatever they want to do, but know God is on the throne. God is in control––not man. Who can fight against God and win? Those who think they have that kind of authority need to realize God can remove them very quickly.
So I do not fear man, I fear God. That is who we should fear.
The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.
~Oswald Chambers~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
