and he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
[acts 18:11]
God’s comfort leads to action
in the previous two verses, we read the Lord encouraging and comforting paul with his presence and the presence of fellow believers around him. now we see paul working and bearing fruit! it’s tempting to believe that we have to work to earn our comfort, but that is not what we see here: instead, we see God’s comfort lead to action. in moments when we think that comfort comes at the end of a project or after figuring the problems right in front of us out, that is actually a form of idolatry! instead of believing the word which says that God is the god of all comfort, (2 cor. 1:3-5) we are believing that we need to be our own God of comfort. to those who need comfort, Jesus’ words are come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and i will give you rest. take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for i am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Jesus promises that we will find rest and comfort in him.
Lord, help us believe it! help us believe that the one thing that is necessary is to sit before your feet! help us to believe that you will be faithful to lead us in bearing fruit as we abide in you.
~ stephen hall