Daily faithfulness
Acts 19:8-10
8 Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. 9 But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.
The church in Ephesus is now planted with just a dozen believers. These 3 verses give us just a glimpse of what God can do with just a few. As momentum builds in the first months opposition comes and instead of de-railing the young church, Paul just moves venues and keeps right on preaching and unfolding the kingdom of God to all willing to listen, which it turns out, is the whole region of Asia.
Verse 10 covers two years of Paul’s ministry. You might think that there would be so much to tell, lots of high-lights or FaceBook moments (the next paragraph does give a few more details), but mainly what happens is that day after day for 2 years, Paul turns up and does the same thing. We often dismiss the importance of the day-to-day faithfulness of our walk and obedience to God whatever that may mean for each of us, but we don’t grow if we don’t show up, and Jesus can’t use us to unfold the Kingdom to others if we don’t. The Holy Spirit did use Paul in amazing ways in the region of Asia & he can use us.
Jesus, my heart is to show up each day remaining faithful to you, your Word and all that you have for me to do. Holy Spirit I ask for strengthen and courage to do so.
Written by Suzie Hodgson