Encouragement for Service

Everyone who is in the service of their Lord in daily life knows situations of particular challenge – situations in which we recognize our own helplessness and then often do not really know what the next steps are that we should take. Paul had been to Athens and had spoken to the Greeks at the Areopagus. A short time later, he traveled on to Corinth. As was his custom, he first went to the synagogue to talk to the Jews. But there – as so often – he met with fierce resistance. The Jews "resisted and blasphemed" (Acts 18:6). What now? Paul had the idea of going to the nations now. But he knew that this path would not be an easy one. He later wrote to the Corinthians about his feelings: "I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom" (1 Cor 2:3, 4). He knew about the people in Corinth who were trained in philosophy, dialectics, and rhetoric and who were very proud of their own wisdom.

It is precisely in this situation that he now receives special encouragement from the Lord. We can take much from this encouragement for ourselves, even if our situation today is very different from Paul's back then. The Lord himself came to him through a vision in the night and said: "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.” (Acts 18:9,10). This short word contains four elements that we want to apply to ourselves. Firstly, we find an encouragement; secondly, an invitation; thirdly, an assurance; fourthly, a perspective.

1. An Encouragement: "Do not be afraid."

We often find this reference in the Bible. Sometimes, God gives this encouragement in the plural (do not be afraid), but often, it is a very personal word that God addresses to people. The first person God encouraged in this way was Abraham (Gen 15:1). The last time we read this word is in Revelation 1:17, where John fell dead at the feet of the Lord when he saw Him in His judgmental glory. In our verse, the Lord wants to encourage Paul to serve. According to human judgment, Paul had reason to be afraid. The task that lay before him was difficult. But the Lord makes it clear to him that he need not fear. We, too, may often look at the tasks that lie ahead of us with concern and perhaps even fear. Perhaps a difficult visit, a complicated conversation, a problem between brothers, a testimony before unbelievers, etc. But the Lord is there and encourages us with the words: "Do not be afraid!" We can claim this for ourselves personally.

2. A Challenge: "Speak and do not keep silent."

The encouragement is followed by an appeal. Paul should speak and not remain silent. Even if it was perhaps difficult for him in Corinth, it was a clear command from God. In our service to the Lord, there are situations where we should remain silent and not speak. But there are also situations where we should speak and not remain silent. Unfortunately, we sometimes "confuse" the one with the other and speak when we should be silent and remain silent when we should speak. Well, if the Lord gives us the command to speak, then we may also fulfill this command in His power. Depending on the situation, it is not so easy to open our mouths. Suppose we, as Christians, are placed in an unbelieving environment (school, training, job, military service, neighborhood, etc.). In that case, it is often very difficult for us to confess our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with our mouths. And yet, in such situations, we are called to: "Speak and do not be silent."

3. A Promise: "I am with you."

The task is immediately followed by a promise. The Lord himself wanted to be with Paul. Could there still be a lack of courage to carry out the Lord's commission? We find something similar with the prophet Jeremiah. When he was appointed as a prophet and was thus to be God's "mouthpiece" to the nations, he said: "O Lord, O Lord, behold, I know not how to speak" (Jer 1:6). Don't we know this well? Haven't we also said this or at least thought: "Oh Lord, I cannot speak." And what does God do? He gives the young Jeremiah a similar assurance to Paul: "’ Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD’" (Jer 1:8). When we are out serving the Lord, we can know that it is His work and that He is with us. We not only feel His presence, but we feel His active support even more. He goes with every one of us when it comes to carrying out an assignment for Him.

4. A Perspective: "I have many people in this city."

The Lord was not content at that time to assure Paul that He was with him. He went one step further. He allowed him a glimpse into the near future. He made it clear to him that He would have a large people in Corinth. That was a great motivation for Paul. Now, in most cases, we do not know what results our work for the Lord will produce. But we do know one thing for sure – and that is an encouraging perspective for us, too. God watches over His word. He will guide the results of every ministry for Him, no matter how small, in a way that is good according to His wisdom. Through the prophet Isaiah, God says: "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11). Paul encourages the Corinthians in the knowledge "that their labor would not be in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor 15:57). This is precisely our perspective. At the latest, at the judgment seat of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More, we will see the results of every service for Him.

Like Paul, we have a good Lord. He does not simply give orders that we are to carry out. No, He combines the request with encouragement, assurance, and perspective. This spurs us on to make ourselves available to Him wherever He wants to use us – even if it may be a difficult environment.