Before diving into today’s passage, it's helpful to remember the setting. Paul is on mission, and he’s stirred up strong opinions—some believe he's doing God's work; others oppose him fiercely. Yet, through it all, God is at work. We see Him heal a man through Paul, which leads some to think Paul is a god. But Paul directs them instead to the living God.
That brings us to the events in verse 19. It’s a shocking moment. Those against Paul—particularly some of the Jews—manage to sway the crowd. Paul is stoned, dragged outside the city, and left for dead. It's sobering. It reminds us that faithfulness to God doesn’t always come with comfort—it often comes with great cost. And still, God brings Paul through.
Even if we’ve read this before, we’re struck again by its power. We’re reminded that perseverance in the face of opposition is a central part of Christian life. Paul and his companions don’t shrink back. They encourage disciples to remain in the faith, knowing that hardship is not the exception but part of the journey.
They appoint elders, not clinging to leadership themselves, but raising up others—demonstrating that leadership in the church is not about status or charisma, but calling, prayer, and discernment. This wasn’t a movement built on ease, but on conviction. The process of forming leaders was soaked in prayer and fasting. It reminds us that God’s work in the church is always meant to be Spirit-led, never just human-driven.
Despite all he had suffered, Paul returns to strengthen the very churches where he once faced hostility. His resilience and commitment shine through. Faith through hardship is not just a theme—it’s a lived reality.
Verse 22 speaks deeply: “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” These words challenge us. Many of us have faced hardship. Some may be walking through it now. Others may be in a more peaceful season. But the call here is not to seek suffering, but to understand it as part of the path of faith. Hardship often becomes the soil where faith grows deepest. This verse doesn’t glorify pain—it simply tells the truth: following Jesus will cost us something. And still, we press on.
In verse 26 Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch and share what God has done—including how the door of faith has been opened to the Gentiles. There’s joy, but not in isolation. Their celebration is communal. Ministry, after all, isn’t meant to be done alone. It’s a shared journey.
They spend time with the believers, and we read that they “stayed there a long time.” That simple sentence offers a quiet but powerful insight. After the intensity of mission, they rest. They reflect. They remain in relationship. There’s something sacred about that rhythm—work, testimony, then rest. We often rush, but the example here is to pause and be present with others.
So how do we respond? When faith is tested, when opposition rises, when we’re tired or even afraid—what do we do? Paul's life urges us to press on. Not in our own strength, but in God’s grace. He reminds us to keep investing in others, keep building the church, even when it's hard. Especially when it’s hard.
God is the one who sustains us. And if we are facing discouragement or even persecution—like many believers around the world—Acts 14 reminds us that our story isn’t over. The same Spirit who raised Paul to his feet is at work in us. We are not alone.
May we know today that God helps us keep going. May we be strengthened to endure, and to live out our faith with courage, love, and conviction.
How might you respond this week?
LCM shares the gospel alongside the local church of London, equipping everyday Christians to lovingly bring a message of hope in Christ to those least likely to hear it.
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