Acts 14:19-28 Paul Stoned at Lystra and Return

Paul's missionary journey was filled with opposition along the way. He stayed in the towns for as long as he could before moving onto the next one. Unfortunately, Jews from the previous two cities (Antioch - of Pisidia, not of Syria; and Iconium) came to Lystra to rally the people against Paul. They stoned him and dragged him out of the city presuming he was dead, but he wasn't. The fact that he got up and walked on his own strength is an indication that God intervened miraculously to heal him. It is not reasonable to think that after a stoning you can just walk. I truly believe that God healed Paul in response to the brothers gathering around him to pray.

God is good and he comes to aid his people. I also admire Paul's resilience. Would I get up after a stoning to go into yet another city to preach? I think many people would call it quits under the same circumstances. At least, many would have taken a break to recover before moving onto the next destination. Not Paul! Paul's resilience speaks volumes of his conviction and commitment to the Gospel and his calling. I wish I had half of his resilience to overcome the many setbacks one experiences in the kingdom.

Moving onto Derbe, they preached the Gospel there until they had made many disciples. Here is an amazing fact: Paul returns to the cities of Lystra, Antioch, and Iconium. These are the very cities that mobilized people all the way to Lystra to get him stoned! Why? Paul wanted to go back to those cities to present himself as a living testimony of God's goodness to encourage the brethren to persevere even under persecution. The story of his stoning spread like fire in the surrounding towns and it was important for him to show his face and give testimony of God's grace. I am sure many were shocked to learn he was still alive!

Here is a true act of humility. Paul did not think of himself, but he thought of the welfare of the brethren and was willing to take risks to ensure their growth was not stunted by what happened to him. He strengthened, encouraged, and taught them that tribulations is the entryway to the kingdom of God. Here is a very unpopular teaching: "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." It is a narrow path; it is the road less taken; it is a difficult journey. Why do I think that my walk of faith should be easy and without obstacles or opposition? The Church will be subject to tribulation until the return of our Lord.

Can't miss out on the strategy that Paul has established in this missionary journey. First, he teams up with workers who complement him in giftedness. Second, he targets a people who can identify with him (Jews in the synagogue) to become an audience for the Gospel. Third, new believers are strengthened, encouraged, and taught the Scriptures to remain strong in their faith. Next,  he appoints elders at each location in fasting and prayer. The elders are the ones to take on the reigns of the planted church in each city. Fifth, he returns to the sending church to give reports and rest.

Father, help me to be resilient in the midst of the tribulations of life. Teach me to love the brethren with a passion willing to humble myself to ensure their welfare. Move me to strategize to advance your kingdom. Amen.

Joshua 6:1-27 The Fall of Jericho

Here is the military strategy that God gives Joshua to bring down Jericho. The priests were to blow the trumpets in front of the ark while walking around the city walls. They walked around once every day for six days. Then on the seventh day, they were to walk around the city seven times. At the seventh time, they were to shout at the city walls until they came down. 

I'm no military strategist, but this is not a strategy you will find in the books. It is ridiculous, from a human perspective and I believe it is intentional. The conquest of the promised land, the establishment of God's kingdom upon the earth should not depend on neat human strategies. The reason? If the conquest is the result of our human strategies, we can take the glory and boast about our accomplishments. But when we follow strategies that clearly have a heavy supernatural component, we cannot take credit for the results because we depend on the mighty hand of God to come through for us.

Maybe this is where I am going wrong in my leadership in the church. I am giving too much room for my leadership to shine through and very little room for the supernatural work of God. If God grants success, many will look at what I have done and not what God has done. Of course, this is no excuse for not using good strategies in our outreach, but I must ensure that everything is done in total dependence on God for every move we make. And when things turn out great, we must give all glory and honor and praise to our Commander.

Rahab received the fulfillment of the promise that she and her family would live through this conquest because of her faith in God. We need to find the many Rahabs out there that are ready to believe God and his promises. We need to bring the power of the Gospel to bear upon their lives so they might see the power of God in action. I need to have a keen sense of calling to bring into the kingdom those who are ready. I must seek the lives of those who would believe and commit to the kingdom of God. As I march forward, I seek those who would join me and welcome them in the ranks of our God.

It is obvious from this story that God wanted Joshua to know that He was with him and that he expected Joshua to trust him every step of the way. I must lead in total dependence on God. Lord, help me depend on you day by day. May I give ample room for your glory when things go well in the church. May every leader in the church see my example of dependence and follow it.