‘One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.”’ (Acts 18:9-10 NLT).
Paul preached Jesus Christ to the members of the Corinthian synagogue, but they opposed him. Yet he didn’t let fear of opposition stop his preaching of the gospel. Instead, he shifted his ministry focus to the Gentiles in the city. Even so, the opposition among the Corinthian Jews increased. In the midst of this, the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision, telling him not to fear, nor to be silent, but to continue to preach. For the Lord was with him, protecting him and calling many to follow. So Paul ministered in Corinth for over a year and a half and saw great fruit there.
Fear of opposition still tempts God’s people to keep silent. When asked why people don’t share the gospel, fear of rejection is one of the top reasons given. But this fear does not come from God. It is the fear of man. And the Lord says, “Don’t be silent for I am with you!”
PRAYER: Dear Father, we will not keep silent for You are always with us. Give us a holy boldness to always speak the good news of Your Son, Jesus Christ. For we are convinced that He is the only help for our sin-sick world. Strengthen our hands and hearts for the work. In Jesus’ name, amen.