after this, paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for syria, and with him priscilla and aquila. at cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. and they came to ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the jews. [acts 18:18-19]
paul remains in corinth at the promise of God
after God promised to protect paul and he did so when paul was dragged into court, paul didn’t see that promise as a short-lived one, but remained in corinth for many days. in times when the Lord has encouraged you with something, how long have you remembered it? how long did it take for you to return to your usual way of living?
let’s take one thing the Lord has said to all who have believed in the name of his Son—whoever comes to me [Jesus] i will by no means cast out…[Jesus] is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. [john 6:37, hebrews 7:25]
if you indeed have been saved by Christ and washed in his blood, how quickly do you forget this truth when you sin and fail? how often do you find yourself thinking that your standing with God depends on your continued holiness instead of believing what God’s word says—that you have been adopted as a son or daughter of the king, and your security depends on God’s steadfast love, which endures forever?
taking God at his word means trusting that he is able to save to the uttermost—and yes, that means even you, even in your weakest and darkest moments. Lord, help us to believe and continue in our trust of you and your word!
~ stephen hall