“When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. He travelled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece.” – Acts 20:1-2
Acts 20 is mainly about the apostle Paul’s account of his stewardship and ministry life, especially from verse 17 onwards. In verse 19 he tells how he has served the Lord with great humility and with tears, in the midst of severe testing by the plots of his Jewish opponents.
“I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.” (Acts 20:19)
Then in verses 23–24, he continues to tell how the Holy Spirit warns of even more prison and hardships ahead, yet he was not moved by any of these threats. Rather, he had a singular aim of finishing the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace—what a man!
“I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:23–24)
Yet what I find even more amazing is the fact that he begins this chapter not by lamenting his own predicament, but by speaking many words of encouragement to the people before setting out to Macedonia (v1–3). And why go back to Macedonia? The very place he had gone in chapter 16 where he was beaten and put in prison—what a shock!
“When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. He travelled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece…” (Acts 20:1–2)
Friends, there is so much we can learn from this great apostle who, though the least of all the apostles, made the greatest impact of all. His was a life of determination, resilience and purpose.
No wonder he was able to say, “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Today, you can also be encouraged by the lifestyle and determination of this great apostle. No matter what you are going through, you can learn to encourage yourself in the Lord and forge forward.
The Bible says, “And David was greatly distressed… but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6). Be encouraged, God is on your side and you will prevail. You are not alone; God is with you and you are more than a conqueror!
– Rev. Simon Ampofo
