Page 49 - Livin Light Issue 81

Wednesday July 26 - Facing discouragement ...he tried to join the disciples but they were all afraid of him, not
believing that he really was a disciple. Acts 9:26
As a young convert, fresh from his success as a gospel preacher, Saul fled Damascus to Jerusalem, the home of his new faith. Rather than receiving a warm welcome there, however, he found the disciples suspicious of him; rather than a warm embrace they kept him at arm’s length. Remembering his earlier reputation, they doubted the genuineness of his conversion. What a discouragement! Didn’t they really believe what they preached, that Jesus changed lives?
Look at this episode two ways. From the church’s viewpoint it’s often necessary to avoid gullibility and to exercise discernment. There are too many stories of fake conversions (involving everything from spies to sexual abusers) for the church not to be cautious. Yet that must be held in tension with a firm belief in the gospel’s power to redeem a person’s life. Time will prove whether the conversion is real or not.
From the young believer’s viewpoint, it’s important to understand why the church might be hesitant, in order to learn patience, and realise we often grow most when we face obstacles and setbacks. Discouragement is a real enemy. But God uses even that to produce maturity and stamina in us, as Romans 5:3-4 and James 1:2-4 teach. So, when the church disappoints, hold on. Don’t give up, or let discouragement undermine your discipleship. Like Saul (see tomorrow) you may find that help is more readily to hand than you know.
Gracious Lord, strengthen me to keep persevering in faith, no matter what obstacles I face. Amen.
Thursday July 27 - Everyone needs a Barnabas But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. Acts 9:27
Thank God for Barnabas, one of the great unsung heroes of the early church. When others shunned Saul, fearing his conversion was a fake, Barnabas trusted him, got alongside him and built a bridge for him to the leaders of the Jerusalem church. Humanly speaking, but for Barnabas’s intervention Saul may never have become the irrepressible missionary we know.
Barnabas is one of the loveliest characters in the early church. A Levite (Jewish temple servant) from Cyprus, who used his assets for the gospel, he was nicknamed ‘son of encouragement’. And so he proved to be for Saul, for the spontaneous church- plant in Antioch, later for John Mark and no doubt for others. Acts 4:36, 11:19-26 and 15:36-41 record all this.
The church is full of critics and moaners, misunderstanding and cynicism. How much better to make Barnabas our model! Who can we draw alongside, encourage and mentor today, enabling others to develop in serving Christ? Or maybe we’re in need of a Barnabas to encourage us. When aren’t we? When Saul was rebuffed in Jerusalem, it wasn’t because God had let him down. All along, the Lord had arranged for Barnabas to be on hand, ready to support and build him up. It’s the way God has designed his church. Who can serve as your Barnabas today? Don’t wait for them to take the initiative. Ask them to help!
Faithful God, thank you for those who have been like Barnabas to me. Please use me to be a Barnabas to others. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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