I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:12-13
Have you ever endured a conversation with someone intent on giving one-word answers to your questions? It is certainly difficult. However, there ARE times when one word covers it all!
Before his conversion to Christianity, the apostle Paul was known as Saul of Tarsus. He described himself as a Roman citizen, religious and educated, well on his way to becoming a rabbi. Saul saw Jesus of Nazareth and His followers as heretical liars leading people away from God. He set out to destroy anything to do with Jesus, confessing to “ravaging the church, entering house after house, dragging off men and women and committing them to prison” (Acts 8:3).
One day, as he was traveling to hunt down more professing Christians, “suddenly a light from heaven shone around him… he heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?‘” (Acts 9:3-5). Saul met Jesus personally! After the miraculous encounter, he was led into the house of a faithful teacher where Saul accepted Jesus as God’s Messiah, the risen Christ.
Saul would go on to be known as Paul, a dedicated disciple of Jesus, and a man suffering intense humiliations, beatings, and even prison for claiming the name of Christ. Yet, if you could ask him the source of his courage in facing such difficulty for his faith, he would give you a one-word answer… Jesus! For Paul, knowing God’s Son personally was worth any cost.
Pray for followers of Christ working in public office to be courageous in their work as Paul was, giving the answer for their faith with the one Name that covers it all.
Today’s Verse: Philippians 4:12-13
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Acts 9:1-9
9 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
