The Persecutions of Paul

275 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Ti 3:10,11, “ But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra--what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. (2 Tim 3:10,11) Timothy has not only observed the character of Paul and his deep commitment to his calling, but he has also seen the price Paul paid. In Antioch of Pisidia, Paul was opposed by the Jews who sought to contradict everything he was saying about Jesus and they spoke evil of Paul. We read about it in Ac 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.” Not content with their ugly use of words they raised up further persecution against Paul and Barnabas and kicked them out of their region: Verse 50: “ But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. Then in Iconium, The Jews and the Gentiles went after him: Ac 14:5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them,” Paul and Barnabas then fled to Lystra where they preached the gospel, but their persecutors followed them: Ac 14:19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.” Yes, Timothy had seen all of this and Paul mentioned it to the Corinthians as well as we read in 2Co 1:9,10, “ Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,” Finally Paul quotes this reassuring verse for Timothy from Ps 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. My friends we have not yet been pressed yet to the sentence of death, but isn't it good to know that no matter the persecution, no matter the trial, no matter the suffering, we have this great promise of deliverance. If not from the immediate circumstances, but the ultimate deliverance into the life to come! Hold onto that promise today and endure whatever hardship you may be facing. God will deliver!