I have many people in this city
(Acts 18:5-10)



There is no one without wounds in their hearts. Everyone has each wound. Without healed, those wounds cause another wound, damage our health and create a conflict in our relationships. Therefore, we should heal our wounds before the situation goes bad.

1. Paul coming under criticism

When Paul left Athens and went to Corinth for preaching the Gospel, many Jews opposed Paul and interrupted him. Even they organized the special assassinating members to kill Paul, imprisoned him, stoned him and beat him a lot. However, not afraid of any persecutions, Paul strongly relied on God to spread Gospel. When we are in hardships while doing missions assigned by God, we should trust God only to seek for help.

2. God's grace in the midst of suffering

Because many Jews opposed Paul, he left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. (Acts18:7-8) Paul enjoyed grace of God even he was in trouble. Therefore, we should not fall behind and keep our faith, marching forward to God. Then, God will give us his amazing grace and makes our difficulties driving force by which we gain victory.


3. The word God gives us

When Paul was still afraid of ceaseless persecutions and threats, God showed up and spoke to him. According to Acts 18:9-10, it says, "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; 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." He was assured that God was with him so that he stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God. Once Corinth was a corrupted and hopeless city because of idolatry and moral corruption but there were many people whom God had chosen. Do you meet the darkest night in your life and are depressed? Believe in the same God whom Paul had met when he was in dark night in the Corinth. Don't give up the mission that God gave you and go forward for the future that God shows to you.