FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18
8 But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing. 9 Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 10 Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord?”
Acts 13:8-10 (NLT)
LAUNCHING OUT: PREPARE FOR OPPOSITION
Christians in Romania relate that during the government oppression they had endured for years, Bibles were very scarce. Christian would tear pages out of the Bible and pass them around to read. On one occasion, while digging some footers they discovered a metal container that had been buried in 1937. It had dozens of little blue Bibles in it and a note that said, “We know that in the near future we will no longer be allowed to worship God freely. It is our prayer that you will find these Bibles at a time when our people most need the Word of God.” (Source Unknown).
“Interfered” is the first word in the Greek sentence which emphasizes the intensity of Elymas’ opposition, in Acts 13:8. The imperfect tense signifies that Elmas kept up his attempts to oppose Barnabas and Saul. Brian Bell writes “Opportunities Usually Produce Opposition…Expect it! 1 Cor.16:9 ‘a wide door for effective (adapted to success) service has opened (stands wide open) to me, and there are many adversaries.’”
Reflection
John MacArthur writes, “It is well to remember the lesson of these verses. Leading someone to Christ is not merely an academic exercise, nor is it a matter of making a successful sales pitch. Rather, it involves all-out war against the forces of hell. Saul and Barnabas battled Bar-Jesus for the soul of Sergius Paulus.” Have you noticed opposition to you sharing Jesus lately?
Praise
Praise God for continually overcoming the enemies attempts to stop His work. Ask God to help you prepare for any opposition you will face as you launch out for Him.
