Trouble

Acts 17:10-15

¹⁰ That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. ¹¹ And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. ¹² As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

¹³ But when some Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God in Berea, they went there and stirred up trouble. ¹⁴ The believers acted at once, sending Paul on to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained behind. ¹⁵ Those escorting Paul went with him all the way to Athens; then they returned to Berea with instructions for Silas and Timothy to hurry and join him.

Jesus very generously and frankly warned us that in this world we will have trouble (see John 16:33). This is especially true if things are going well in our serving Jesus and the gospel. It still comes as a shock to me sometimes though, and I wonder if it was a shock to Paul, Silas and Timothy in Berea. Things were going so great – people were listening and engaged, many people, Jews and Greeks, were becoming Christians. Then the trouble-makers turned up! If, by God’s grace, we start ‘kicking goals’ for Jesus, we can be certain that spiritual opposition will come our way.

I am so encouraged by verse 14, “The believers acted at once!” You are not alone. You have every resource in heaven at your disposal (see 2 Peter 1:3). You have the church who will galvanise around you in prayer – providing an impenetrable barrier of power and protection (see Ephesians 6:16, Revelation 5:8 and James 5:16). You have God, who, rather than delegating the task of protecting you to His powerful angels, will cover you and protect you with Himself! (see Psalm 3:3 TPT and Psalm 91:4). Is it any wonder that Jesus said (I imagine with a knowing half smile and a look of confidence in His eyes), “…but take heart (when you encounter trouble), I have overcome the world”?

Jesus, I rest in the knowledge that in trouble you’ve got me. Thanks that I’m not along – I have friends and I have you. Teach me to rejoice in times of trouble because through you I will overcome. Amen

Written by B van Noppen