Every Step of the Way
Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him. Acts 13:9
Have you ever stepped out in faith toward something or someone you knew the Holy Spirit was leading you to and then, just when you were about to get there you suddenly faced opposition? It is not an uncommon occurrence and in fact, you should expect it to happen. The enemy is always up to no good and when he can throw a monkey wrench in things you can be sure he will. It can be frustrating to the point that you want to give up and go home, but I assure you if you press on through by following the leading of the Holy Spirit, He will make sure you succeed on your mission.
In today’s reading, Paul and Barnabas were on their first mission trip and sure enough right away, they were faced with trouble. It really isn’t a surprise to us reading it now because we have seen that everywhere they went there was always something or someone trying to stop their ministry. We all know that when you step out in faith it can be a scary thing and I am sure that even though these men had been through their share of struggles, they still had some of those anxious feelings. But they didn’t let that stop the mission. The passage actually says that Paul, because he was full of God’s Spirit rebuked and called blindness to come on the man trying to stop them from ministering the good news in that area. They were well prepared because they had taken the time to press in and fill up before they even arrived at the place.
The cool part about this account is that Paul and Barnabas didn’t want to hurt anyone. Instead, they wanted to bring the message of hope and the love of God to others. When the people saw what happened to the man standing in their way, they were amazed and believed in the power and salvation of the Lord.
So, here’s the encouraging part: just like Paul and Barnabas, you might face challenges in life, and there might be people who try to stop you from doing good things. But remember, with faith in God and the fullness of His Spirit, you can overcome those challenges and keep doing what’s right. Keep pressing in, keep filling up and keep sharing the love of God and His salvation with others, just like Paul and Barnabas did. God is with you every step of the way, just like He was with Paul and Barnabas.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 13:4-12
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.
6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus,
7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him
10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?
11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
The Daily Dose 