When You Are Tempted to Throw In the Towel – Devotional Guide for Acts 18

If you have ever become discouraged after your attempts to serve the Lord and His people, then you could profit from digesting and reflecting upon Acts 18.

How easy it is to say: “Well, Lord, if you would speak to me in dreams and visions like you did the Apostle Paul, then I would do your will.” However, when we examine how God makes his will known to the Apostle Paul, he basically reiterates to Paul His foundational promises already contained in His Word. The same Word that we already have.His command to Paul is sandwiched between two promises.

Do Not Be Afraid
Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard (Luke 1:13).
Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God (Luke 1:30).
Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife (Matthew 1:20)
Do not be afraid; [shepherds]
for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people (Luke 2:10).
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified (Matthew 28:5).
Do not be afraid [John]; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. (Revelation 1:17b-18)

Go On Speaking
O Zion, herald of good news;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
(Isaiah 40:9)
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love,
I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal
(1 Corinthians. 13:1).
I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling
(1 Corinthians 2:2-3).

For I Am With You
The LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison (Genesis 39:21).
And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground (1 Samuel 3:19).
Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10).
Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts (Haggai 2:4).
I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).
The Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it (2 Timothy 4:17).