Monday – Gospels and Acts

Reading – Acts 21

Highlight Verse:

“But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.””
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭21‬:‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Notice why Paul’s heart was breaking.

It wasn’t because he feared jail or death.

He knew that God could protect him as long as needed.

He also knew that God would give him the strength to get through any hardship.

He even knew that God could use that hardship to increase Paul’s ministry.

Paul’s heart broke because the people were sad that he was going into such danger.

Spoiler alert: God did not save him from danger. He would spend the rest of his life under arrest.

And thrive both in spite of that and partly because of that.

At least four of Paul’s letters were written from jail.

During his captivity, he had opportunities to reach people he would have had no access to otherwise.

Paul’s influence during his captivity was just as strong as before if not more effective.

We are not immune to hardship in modern life.

In some cases, Christians encounter significant persecution.

But where trial is great, faith can be greater.

When we are faced with hardships of any sort, our first prayer should not be “deliver me” but “use me.”

God might deliver you.

Or He might give you the strength to get through it and bring Him glory in the process.

Have you ever faced a hardship that God turned into a blessing?
How has God used you in the midst of hardship?