Trouble, trouble trouble, everywhere he goes. It is a strange phenomenon, but it is a most realistic spiritual fact in the Christian Life. Do not seek to avoid it - you cannot. There is not a disciple in the New Testament who did not face opposition and trouble in some shape or form. Many ask "Why"? Well, there is an enemy of God who does not like what disciples of Jesus Christ say and do and satan seeks to disrupt and cause distress. It is classically called Spiritual Warfare!

If he does not exist, then who, on earth, is doing his work?

Come with into Acts Chapter 18 verse 7. Do take time to read it for yourself and see that this actually happened. Serious trouble broke out yet again, and Paul left the synagogue and went into the home of a man who lived next door - Titius Justus - a man who was truly sincere in his worship. Something rather wonderful happened. Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and so did all who lived in his home.

Many Corinthians, when they heard of Jesus Christ and the Cross and the Resurrection, came to believe, and they were baptised immediately. It is as we hear the Word of God that we come to believe. It is as we read and receive the Word of God that our faith grows and increases, and as we allow the Word of God to do its supernatural work within our hearts and minds and lives - in every part of us.

Even now - the Holy Spirit will be taking this living Word - this seed which has life in it - and working away in various areas - as you read this article - and it is always good to see the Word of God at work. Keep on reading. There may be something very important for you and your situation, a few sentences from now.

This was a potentially explosive situation in Corinth. Paul and a fellowship of the Holy Spirit, were right next door to a fleshly religious congregation. That is certainly material for an explosion. It continues to be!

Paul wondered whether he ought to leave Corinth. We have never met anything quite like this before in the ministry of Paul.

His policy usually was - when he founded a church and opposition arose - he would get out and move on - and leave the believers in Jesus Christ in peace.

As he prays, it would appear that Paul doesn't know exactly what to do. Here we see how Paul was so human. It is as if all the pressures of this long missionary journey were beginning to show. It is as if all the wear and tear of extended ministry is telling and taking its toll. Is he depressed? Is he under attack? Was it all becoming too much for him? Was he beginning to sense the tremendous strain?

Everywhere he goes he is in trouble. His preaching upsets and disturbs people. The opposition he faced was real and physical. The persecution was sore. Philippi - prison! Thessalonica - riot! Berea - he had to flee! Athens - mocking and sneering! And, now this in Corinth!

This missionary journey appears to be draining him mentally and emotionally and physically. He is weary and exhausted, and here we see Paul almost on the point of cracking up - giving in. He is meeting rejection everywhere. Was he feeling betrayed by God?

Rejection and Betrayal are two strong emotions, which we have to learn how to handle. We will not avoid them - be sure of that.

That night the Lord appeared to him in a vision and spoke, saying - "Be not afraid - but speak - hold not your peace - keep on speaking - do not be silent - for I am with you - and no-one is going to attack and harm you - because I have many people in this city."

We are only safe when we are where God tells us to be.

Here is God encouraging Paul. Here is God ministering to His called, obedient, chosen, beloved, anointed, distressed, persecuted servant. This is such a tender scene, which he must have described to Luke later on. The sense is that he was very alone. These words were not spoken in a fellowship meeting. This was done in private but for sharing later on to encourage us as we discover how real the battle can be at times.

Is this a very real and personal word that might be especially for you today?

Sandy Shaw

Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.

His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.