Apostolic Faith Daybreak Devotional
Daybreak: Acts 18:1-22
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X-18 - 1-22 Devotional Focus Furs Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, be not afraid but speak and hold not type ease. X-18 - 9 Since the days of the early church, there have been those who have spoken boldly for God in a setting of mockery and derision. Once that incident occurred during the 1700s in the country of Prussia, Frederick the Great, who ruled Prussia from 1740 to 1786, was widely known as an agnostic and scoffer against religion. One night, with members of his staff gathered around him, the king began making crude jokes about the Son of God until the whole place was filled with laughter. One of his most trusted officers, General Bonzeland, was among those present. Bonzeland was a devout believer, and after listening to the mocking comments for a time, he finally arose and solemnly addressed the king. "Sire, you know I have not feared death, you know I have fought for you in 38 battles, and in 38 battles I have won, but, sire, my hairs were grey, I am an old man, and I shall soon have to go into the presence of one greater than thou, the mighty God who saved me from my sin, the Lord Jesus Christ whom you are blaspheming against. Sire, I cannot stand to hear my Savior spoken of as thou a spoken of him. I salute thee, sire, as an old man who loves the Savior on the edge of eternity. That room went deathly still, but would be the fate of one who had rebuked the king with such boldness. Perhaps those present wondered if the old officer's life hung in the balance, in spite of his years of faithful service. Finally the king responded. With the voice that shook he said, "General von Zeeland, I beg your pardon, I beg your pardon." In moments the whole company quietly exited the room. God himself must have given courage to that venerable Prussian general, enabling him to stand before his king and scoffing fellow officers, and boldly declare his faith in his Savior Jesus Christ whom they were blaspheming. In today's text we read of another individual who took a stand for Christ among people who were expressing blasphemous opposition, the Apostle Paul. After his arrival in Corinth, Paul's preaching had been met with fierce rejection by the Jews. In times past it had been beaten, imprisoned, driven out of cities, and persistently attacked by Judaizers for his message. Now in light of the uproar his teaching had stirred in Corinth, Paul no doubt needed courage from God to continue. God did not fail his servant. In our focus first we read that God spoke to the Apostle in a night vision telling him, "Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace." That encouragement helped Paul to go on preaching in Corinth for another year and a half until he had begun his third missionary journey. Throughout the history of the Church Christians have defended their faith against the attacks of those who deride, doubt, or challenge it. They do not speak out to demonstrate their great oratorical skills or intellectual abilities, but to honor the one who is King of their lives. We may never be required to stand for God before a mocking crowd of army officers or violent religious leaders. However, we will need to take a stand for God somewhere.
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