Never Someone
Acts 18:9-10
Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
Here we see the purpose of all that was discussed before to comfort you in "afflictions and distress." Nor does such grow alone, in the dark, or in isolation. Just as hearing comes through the Word of Romans 10:17, so faith grows best under certain conditions. Namely when it is planted, watered, and tended with care. So, it matters not if the is Lord gardening or some of his saints; the intended effect of the faith ministry is still the same. How else will you know that the Lord is good unless someone tells you in Psalm 34:8. Some of you really ought to stop hanging out with the Debbie downers and spend more time with Jesus. Here you should stand as in Matthew 6:28-29, like the lilies of the field which do nothing for their care. Our apostle would have you know by way of 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 to "stand fast in the Lord." Therein is all joy, hope, peace, life, and breath. Now you might say, ' easy enough for you to say when nothing is wrong.' But oh, my friends; Paul said it when everything was wrong. Yet he can say over and over what praise must he render God on behalf of the little church. For so were these dear to him. Some of you really ought to stay before him more. Even if you must lay face down before God. Even if you must cry out to him. Even if you must reach out to some others along the way. Even if you do not think you can make it. God is still good, my friends. He has not left or deserted you as have some. For so is he our good Father. God told Paul the same in his night visions. This is how he could be confident in all trials. Within him was the presence of the Almighty God himself. For this reason Paul could fear not. Notice how Paul asks for neither money nor material possessions. Rather his only wish is for their face to come unto him. So he also prays for what lacks in their faith to be made the more.
For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
Look here with me at how tender God is towards his apostles and messengers of the Gospel. It is very probable that Paul himself preached many times while shaking inside due to fear of the people to whom he ministered. Such a response is only human and natural to have. Thus, his plight can be very well understood by all that heard. If I listen closely, I can hear the echoes of this throughout 1 Thessalonians. Yet God knew exactly what Paul needed: some good old fashioned gospel reassurance. It should be seen that Paul's safety was not found in Lydia, Timothy, nor yet in any other. Rather such begins and ends in God himself. Hear him now call upon the Lord even before he finished speaking. The text assures that no man will lay a hurting upon Paul nor yet any of his messengers. Only God himself, the eternal Father, and his Lord Jesus Christ can keep you like no one else will. He receives his directions directly from the Lord, for such is his right. See how tender the Lord's heart is towards his people also. Here he yearns for them; he directs the apostles' way unto them and convinces them to stay.
Nor will the people abide in the company of some struggling apostles with nothing to provide. Notice here the words "increase and abound" for such is the Lord's doing. I know some of you can try to make a man stay, try to get pregnant, and struggle to raise your kids. But look, unless the Lord establish that house, it will not stand. Yet how many of you know that when he is for you neither hell, high water, nor all the fallen angels can stop you. For when the Lord makes you do something, it will be so. Note the direction of this thing. For there is much divine ministry going on among the people that you do not yet know about. If you leave right now, you might miss the progress. See, there is love abounding in the city towards each other. It mattered not if they were Jews, Gentiles, Romans, Grecians, or ancient Abyssinians. Now all the brethren are dwelling in unity together with these other people too. Right before something happens, see the establishing of God. He has so nourished the people that they now stand unblameable before him in all holiness. Nor will these stand before him only but with all the saints of God at his coming. How many of you know not to fear no matter what you might face. Chin up little church, God is with you.