- "Do not be afraid."
- "Keep on speaking (or doing what you are called to do)."
- "Do not be silent (about Christ)."
- "I am with you."
- "I have many people in this city (to help you)."
(Serendipity Bible 1998, page 1550).
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." So Paul stayed a year and a half, teaching the word of God. (Acts 18:9-11 NIV).
God's words to Paul in Corinth should encourage all of us to do the right thing and follow God's leadings. In this passage God jumps right to the key issue--fear. While we sometimes tell ourselves that we are astute and even compassionate when we hold our tongues in the face of intimidation; certainly the most decisive factor bearing upon our reluctance to speak and act is fear of harm or isolation. God would have us not fool ourselves. "In this city" God says "I have many people." Often it is the case that a great number of these are no less than holy angels all set and waiting to unfurl their wings.
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