Daily Devotional for Thursday, April 6

Paul on the Way to Miletus

“And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot. And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to Mitylene,” Acts 20:13, 14.

“Every one of us needs a reason to live—a compelling cause and purpose that keeps us going when we would rather quit. We all face obstacles that hinder us and make life difficult. Some people allow those obstacles to stop them. Others overcome. The difference is not in the obstacles, but in the determination and drive of the person who faces the obstacles.” —Source: Living in an Imperfect World, Dr. R. B. Ouellette
Reading the key verses today may cause a dizzying effect if you focus on the obstacles these preachers faced on their journeys. Moving from one seaport to another, they then travelled on foot to another city. Were it not for the encouragement of fellow ministers and the purpose they felt from God’s calling, they may have quit. But Paul and his fellow ministers continued, fueled by their calling from God and the encouragement they drew from each other.
We may face seasons of life filled with stresses and obstacles that discourage us along the way. Like Paul, we can find strength in fellow-Christians who are dedicated to the cause of Christ. We can also find encouragement in the Word of God as we are reminded of our calling.

THOUGHT: When you are discouraged, take time to remind yourself of your calling from God and lean on other Christians for encouragement.

Steven Ridings