September 8, 2011 - Acts 19:30

“Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him.” Acts 19:30.
In a very dramatic scene, Paul had already spoken before the crowd in Ephesus and caused an uproar. The local merchants, who made money by selling articles representing their gods, realized that their business was being disrupted by Paul’s message of salvation through Jesus. The crowd attempted to apprehend Paul, but some of his disciples whisked him away. Two other disciples, who traveled with Paul, were taken by the crowd to be judged before the Ephesian city clerk. The mood of the crowd was becoming explosive. Paul, seeing what was happening, desired to go before the crowd again to preach Jesus at this pinnacle moment, but the disciples with him would not let him go. They didn’t just suggest that he not go; they kept him from going for his own protection.
Paul was not afraid of anything. His life had been threatened several times already, yet he continued with great zeal. Yet, he was restrained from going. This protected him from probable death at the hands of the violent crowd.
While not necessarily leading to death, I have been restrained from doing things on occasion by those around me who care about me. I am usually not aware of just how close I have come to dangerous situations, but in looking back on the incident, I have seen God’s protective hand. I am learning to trust that God loves me and has my best interest at heart. I am thankful for those times I listened to those around me and did not go off to do my own thing. There is wisdom and protection in staying connected with those around you.
Questions to consider: Have you ever been in a situation where you were protected from doing something that you wanted to do and were guarded from danger, as a result? Do you have any people around you that have spoken, or could speak, words of protection to you? Are there people around you that allow you to say protective words to them?
Prayer: Father, thank You for having our best interest at heart when You protect us from some situations that could be unnecessarily harmful to us. Thank You for using close friends to speak protective words to us. Amen.