paul in corinth

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."

paul faced much opposition when he preached the message of the gospel, not only in corinth, but in every other place he visited.  it must have been a especial discouragement to him to have the jews, the very people of God, reject His salvation. but Jesus speaks to Paul in a dream one day, encouraging him to continue in the work: "for I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city".

what an encouragement Jesus's words to paul are to those who are in ministry!  pastor james and i don't face abuse or open hostility from our congregation as paul did, but many, many in the odm reject the gospel in their own way and for a myriad of reasons--indifference, lack of commitment and participation, worldliness, an unwillingness to serve or to let go of a sinful life, pride, stubbornness, doubt, unbelief etc etc.  speaking for myself, sometimes i am so discouraged, so crushed and grieved by the disappointments in the ministry that i just want to give up.  but Jesus reminds me, "I am with you . .  I have people in this [congregation]".

just to know that there will be some who will be saved within our little group, and to know with certainty that "Jesus is always with us", motivates us to continue in the work.  ours may not be a super outwardly successful ministry, but it is wonderful to know that some will be saved in the end. even in our modest little group, Jesus has people in this congregation.