A Vision For Courage

Verse for Today
Acts 18:9 - And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent".

When His children go through intimidation from the world, the Lord does not forsake them, but speaks to them and strengthen them. He gives them visions of His glory and pours courage into their hearts to keep going without regard to consequences. He guarantees protection and care as they continue to testify to His saving grace. He takes time to speak to His children in the midst of the trouble which they go through. He assures them of His hand of care. He tells them that He is watching the situation they are in and that He is fully aware of their condition. Nothing is hidden to His eyes and that He is with His children no matter what their difficulties are. Paul was repeatedly told by the Lord through personal appearance about the mission that He has entrusted with him and how important that the mission continues. The Lord knew the people who were to be saved through the ministry of Paul and so he was reassured of the protection from above for him. This Lord is our God and He will sustain us also in the midst of opposition. In this world, we are often confronted by the enemy at the time of preaching the gospel or building up the saints in the local church. We know very well that we can go forward only with the protection and reassurance of the Lord. The promises given to Paul are available to us also to draw upon.

Dear reader, if you are confronted by the enemy from all corners and if you feel intimidated, and fearful in your heart, the Lord wants to reassure you today that there is still hope for you. In times of difficulties, the place to go is the presence of the Lord, as did Isaiah, David, Moses, Joshua and Paul. As you seek His face, the Lord will speak to you and reveal His glory to you through the reading and meditating of His word and through the precious moments of your prayer time. When you thus seek the face of the Lord, He will reveal His glory to you in your meditation and that will comfort and strengthen you. The Lord will give you the courage to keep going with your ministries for Him. He will give you the fullness of His Spirit who is the Spirit of boldness and courage. Thus instead of seeing the opposition, you will be enabled to see the prospects and possibilities of your ministries. He gives you His strength and show you what His strength can accomplish through you. Through it all, you will see how the Lord is going to glorify His name through you in the days to come. You will be able to look at the work the Lord will do in and through you, and it will cause you to be joyful and courageous to face the difficulties which lie ahead. Remember, you are His and so He gives you His courage through His Spirit. He will certainly accomplish His purpose through you if you are committed to go forward as commanded by Him.

Ephesians 6:10 - Finally be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Thought for Today
When you have courage from the Lord, you are a mighty man (or woman) of valor.