I Am With You

I AM WITH YOU

a prayer to open

Holy Spirit, come. Center my heart.

Fill my mind. Guide my steps.

Then Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he became acquainted with a Jew named Aquila, . . . who had recently arrived from Italy with his wife, Priscilla. . . . Paul lived and worked with them, for they were tentmakers just as he was.

Each Sabbath found Paul at the synagogue, trying to convince the Jews and Greeks alike. And after Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul spent all his time preaching the word. He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed and insulted him, Paul shook the dust from his clothes and said, “Your blood is upon your own heads—I am innocent. From now on I will go preach to the Gentiles.”

Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized.

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to me.” So Paul stayed there for the next year and a half, teaching the word of God.

But when Gallio became governor of Achaia, some Jews rose up together against Paul and brought him before the governor for judgment. They accused Paul of “persuading people to worship God in ways that are contrary to our law.”

But just as Paul started to make his defense, Gallio turned to Paul’s accusers and said, “Listen, you Jews, if this were a case involving some wrongdoing or a serious crime, I would have a reason to accept your case. But since it is merely a question of words and names and your Jewish law, take care of it yourselves. I refuse to judge such matters.” And he threw them out of the courtroom.

Paul’s stay in Corinth lasted a year and a half, and we know from two letters (1 and 2 Corinthians) that the church he planted there was a significant challenge. So God’s words to him—“Don’t be afraid. . . . I am with you” (verses 9-10)—must have been something he continually came back to as a reminder. Though these were words specific to Paul, we find them and others that convey the same meaning throughout Scripture. God has consistently provided similar reminders and comfort to believers throughout history.

• Read this passage again. What word or phrase stands out to you? Sit quietly, reminding yourself that you are in God’s loving presence, and ask him to show you how that word or phrase connects to your life.
• In what areas are you currently experiencing fear? What exactly are you afraid of and why? How are you experiencing God in the midst of that fear? What resistance do you feel when you read his words “Don’t be afraid” and “I am with you”?
• Is there someone in your life who tends to be afraid or is going through a time of fear? How might you be able to communicate or demonstrate God’s presence to that person?

Father, thank you for your presence. I pray that I would remember that you are with me. So often I forget and act as if I am on my own. Remind me when I forget. Help me know your presence when I am overwhelmed. And when fear creeps in or overtakes me, turn my heart to you. Allow your words to come into my mind and fill me with courage to be and act in the ways in which you are calling me. Amen.