Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
(Acts 18:9-18; John 16:20-23)
Successful poker players know when to play their hand and
when to give it up. From years of experience,
they have a sense when their cards will win and when they will lose. Similarly, in today’s reading from Acts Paul
has an intuitive “vision” what the Lord Jesus wants him to do. He has developed a firm understanding of his
will through years of prayer. He can say
with confidence that the Lord wants him to stay in Corinth to preach the
gospel.
Corinth is Greece’s principal port city. From it ships traverse the Mediterranean, the
center of the western world. Based there,
preachers have access to all the known nations.
The city was like a major airport hub city today. From it preachers can easily reach the places
in need of the Word of God. Probably for
this reason, the Lord wants Paul to establish a Christian base there.
In Paul’s vision the Lord assures him of both his
accompaniment and his influence. These
advantages are immediately evidenced.
Gallio, the proconsul or governor of Corinth, is such a “friend” of the
Lord. He dismisses the Jews’ charge
against Paul as frivolous so that Paul can continue preaching.
The Lord is with us as well.
We need to develop a close relationship with him through prayer. Then he will tell us when to proceed on a project
and when to give it up as futile. Paul gives
the reason for his confidence in his Letter to the Romans: “If God is for us, who
can be against us?”
