Acts 14:20
20But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went
back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
The apostles Paul and Barnabas had to seriously convince the people
of Lystra that they were not gods but men just as they were. They
preached with such boldness and performed miracles that they were
mistaken as such. Yet all it took was some Jews from Antioch and Iconium
to turn the crowd against them. And before long Paul was stoned and
left for dead. Some of you may recall that Paul was present for
Stephen's stoning when he addressed the Sanhedrin after being accused of
blasphemy. It was all because he received great power from the Holy
Spirit as a worker of miracles and wonders and being blessed with the
gift of wisdom. Paul endured the same pain that he witnessed and
approved of for Stephen who was devoted to the Lord. Stephen's death was
a catalyst to Paul's Damascus encounter. Paul too was left for dead but
the apostles came to his aide and through prayer and faith, Paul was
miraculously restored and continued his ministry. Things can come full
circle. The Lord allowed Paul to taste the destruction he stood in
approval of for Stephen but didn't let him die. Watch what you do to
someone. Even as the Lord redeems you, getting away from the pain you
assisted in or caused another may not be possible. God can allow you to
experience what you did as not only a reminder but for purposes of
humility.
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