For I am with thee

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: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.

Paul here was in Corinth ministering and preaching the gospel. And as in all other places that he went, there was opposition and persecution against him. Many blasphemed, many ridiculed him, many sought to bring him before the judgment seat to be punished. Paul was constantly in fear of his life, although he was not living in fear. But we must imagine that he was tempted at times to speak less boldly, to calm down, to lessen his preaching. He often lived with some angst, knowing that persecution was bound to befall him every where that he went. And the Lord, in His kindness, met Paul where he was and encouraged him. He met him through a vision.

In this vision of Paul’s, he heard this message from the Lord: “Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace.” Be not afraid! Do not worry about the persecution that may be imminent, do not concern for the incipient actions against you. But “speak for me,” the Lord says, and “do not hold your peace!” Do not become afraid, do not lose boldness, passion, or vigor. Do not be silence, stilled, or slowed. Do not allow others to thwart the continuance of your work. Hold not thy peace! And the encouragement that the Lord gave was, “For I am with thee.” This is the greatest encouragement of all. I can do all things if Christ is with me! There is nothing I cannot do! There is nothing to be afraid of! There is nothing I can lightly worry about. For He is with me, as He promised, even unto the end of the world!

And further, the Lord said, “For I have much people in this city.” The Lord here is reassuring Paul that not only is the Lord with him, but there are many others on his side. Many others in this city! You are not alone! There is a whole host and company of men and women who are of the same belief and persuasion. There is an entire army of people that shall rise to the occasion on the behalf of your cause. Let us take encouragement! For there are more that are with us than they that be with them. We are more powerful because we have the strength of the Lord. And like Elisha, we can see the mountain ablaze with horses and chariots coming to our aid. The enemy is large and daunting, but with the Lord, we have nothing to fear! There are many in this city! But the greatest and most loveliest truth of all is that the Lord is with us in the battle. Therefore, there is no reason to fear.

“Father, we thank you for the illumination you have given us through your Word. We thank you for this great reminder that you are with us! No one shall set on us to hurt us unless it is in your divine plan, and we know that whatever befalls, the presence of our Savior and mighty God is ever near us. You are with us! And there is a great army on our behalf! Therefore, may we speak boldly for Thee, and not hold our peace. And may we do this for Thy glory. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”