4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
Saul’s intention in trying to arrest the Jesus-followers was to stamp them out. God used Saul’s evil intention to spread the Gospel even further beyond the confines of Jerusalem. The early followers might have camped out in Jerusalem and been perfectly happy. But God needed them to spread out and share with the rest of the world. What Saul meant for evil, God used for good. I am sure those scattered, pulled out of their homes and comfortable surroundings, felt uncomfortable and probably a bit mad. They left everything they knew behind and had to go to new places and start their lives over. They had to find new jobs and figure out where to live. Some, I am sure, gave up positions of authority and privilege and had to settle for a shack and a handout. For some, they had to learn a new language and culture. They were now the outsiders, the foreigners, the strangers. And yet, through all this, God was able to move through their availability. God used the negative circumstances as a means to get His message to more people. Perhaps the joy they showed, even though they were thrown out of their homes and lives, was seen by the people to whom they fled. Instead of being downcast, the joy of Jesus was evident and that joy drew people to the truth. We don’t know exactly what happened as they preached. We do know that many more came to faith in Jesus as a result of their preaching. So God used negative circumstances to accomplish His purposes and the encouragement of the believers. Are there negative circumstances in your life that God might want to use to further His reach and bring you strength and encouragement? Look for His hand today.
The Arnold Journey 