I Am With You

 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

— Acts 18:9-10

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

What a relief this must have been to Paul. To hear directly from you, at night through a vision, your reassurance and exhortation to not be afraid, to keep on speaking, to not be silent, and that you are with him. Moreover, that no one is going to attack Paul because you have many people in this city.

Lord, your presence is always enough to quell my fears. "For I am with you" is the truth I rely on when I am shaking in my boots wondering if I can obey the call you have placed on my life. "For I am with you" is the reminder I need when the Holy Spirit nudges me to speak but I can't find the words to break the silence. "For I am with you" is the stake in the ground when I face opposition and am tempted to shrink back.

Thank you Lord for reminding me, as you did Paul, that fear has no hold on me. I am not afraid. I will keep on speaking. I will not be silent because you are with me! I may face opposition and adversity, but I can trust your word that you are my protector from all attacks and harm. Not only do you have fellow believers in this city praying for me, but you have unseen angels standing guard, holding back enemy forces, so that your Kingdom may advance.

Gracious Lord, today I choose to open my mouth and keep on speaking as Your Holy Spirit directs. I surrender all my fear to You and rest in your faithful promise that You are with me!

— In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!


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