-July 18, 2023-
Good morning, happy Tuesday,
“Then the Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with with Barnabas to Derbe.”
(Acts 14:19-20).
This incident in Paul’s life was a real ordeal. There is a difference of opinion whether Paul was actually dead or not. The Jews hated Paul and sought to kill him on numerous occasions without success. In this portion of Acts, it looked as if they were finally successful. They stirred up the multitudes and they stoned Paul. Whether or not he was dead isn’t the point. Either way it was a miracle that God raised him up with no bad effects.
A number of people in the Bible were stoned and each one of them died. Personally, I believe he was dead and this most likely the time when Paul was caught up into the third heaven. God sent him back to earth for his mission was not yet finished. Please read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. There are good arguments on both sides. Our text in Acts says, they supposing him to be dead.” Both those who stoned him and the disciples thought he was dead.
The word ordeal is defined as, “a painful or horrific experience, especially a protracted one.” Paul definitely went through an ordeal. Yesterday I had quite an ordeal when I experienced a Trans Esophageal Echo, otherwise called a TEE. Normally they are pretty routine and go smoothly with no pain under sedation. In my case, however it was painful and difficult. They had to give me just mild sedation due to my low blood pressure and heart issues. I was wide awake, and heard every word the doctors said the whole time. It was the hardest thing for me to go through in my 66 years. I got through by it by God’s grace and help. The Lord is good.
I realize the pain and discomfort I felt was nothing compared to what Paul went through. Though the word ordeal is not in the Bible, the concept is. David went through several ordeals, as did Joseph, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, Job, Daniel, and many others.
Have a blessed day even through your ordeals. Stay safe and healthy.
Trusting in the Lord to see us through,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 