august 26, 2010 - Acts 14:11

“When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have come down to us in human form!’” Acts 14:11.
The people of Lystra had never seen a healing like this before (see vs. 8-10), and they responded in the only way they knew how. They thought that their gods had come in human form and that Barnabas was Zeus and Paul was Hermes, Zeus’ chief spokesman. Evidently, Paul and Barnabas were unaware that the people were responding to the healing in this way, and it was only when the priests of Zeus brought sacrifices that Paul and Barnabas realized what was happening. Paul and Barnabas protested by tearing their clothes, which was an expression of great anguish in their culture. It was, evidently, quite a chaotic scene!
Paul and Barnabas knew that they weren’t “gods”, and they were not about to allow others to celebrate them as such, even if it offended the crowd’s beliefs. Paul and Barnabas knew that they must clearly make a stand for the one, true God that they believed in and followed.
There are times when I have made a clear stand for Jesus. Usually it is within circumstances where I am more comfortable. There are, also, times when I have been more cautious in my stand for Jesus. I am much more protective (read: more fearful of rejection!) of myself. Yet, it is always helps to remember that God is always with me and willing to work through me, if I am willing to allow Him to do so.
Questions to consider: How do you make a stand for God? What would you say to someone who to know more about the God you serve? In what ways do you make a stand for God within your circumstances?
Prayer: Father, give me wisdom and courage to make a stand for you in the uncomfortable situations, as well as the comfortable. Help me to always be ready with a word to share about Your love and goodness. Amen.