Key scripture- “About that time, serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way” (Acts 19:23).

Have you ever had one of those days where it was going along just fine and then something happens. You get a phone call, email, text or letter that makes you panic inside?

Pastor, James McDonald says that this is what happened to the Apostle Paul, when it says in the Key scripture, “about that time . . . ” Look at the rest of verse 23: “serious trouble developed in Ephesus concerning the Way” [which was a first-century label for Christianity].

That’s the way it happens. Just about the time you get out of your prayer closet and you’ve got it all worked out, then everything breaks loose. Just about the time you get things settled in your heart and you promise, “Lord, I’m not going to panic; I am courageous because I am standing on Your Promises. I’m going to leave all those problems with You,” you are not hit with a small problem but one that comes at you like a freight train out of control.

In Acts 19, verses 24 and following we can see what Paul did and how he reacted when he was hit with a problem.

One day a craftsman named Demetrius, a silversmith who made silver shrines of Artemis, realized his business was taking a turn for the worse. Why? He tells his fellow craftsmen in verse 26:

“You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all.”

So the new Christians gave up their trinkets and were spreading the Word of God, so there goes the silver trinket market! Suddenly the market for Artemis memorabilia took a nosedive.

You see, the closer you get to Jesus, the less you care about the artificial. You know the truth, so you don’t need little replicas of what is false, instead you commit yourself to the living Lord. When you’re serving the God of Heaven, you could care less about gods on earth.

So now the craftsmen have it in for the missionary. They’re saying, in effect, “It’s all Paul’s fault. He’s to blame.” Weird, isn’t it? When you declare the truth you’re often blamed for it even though you didn’t write it. You’re just declaring it. But people have no other source to turn to. They can’t take a swing at God. So those who represent the Lord and His truth become the scapegoat . . . the verbal punching bag. This is the place Paul found himself in. He didn’t make anybody do anything. God changed lives. But he was the voice box.

Still, look at what happened. Now remember, Paul is the man who has said, “Lord, I give You my future. I’m relying on You to take care of it.” And when he did things got worse. Look at the unpleasant circumstances.

“Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless . . . ” When they heard this and were filled with rage, they began crying out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” (vv. 27–28)

So they’re chanting this great cry like you would chant a cheer at a ball game. “GREAT IS ARTEMIS OF THE EPHESIANS!” They’re screaming it—thousands of them. I say that because of the next verse:

“The city was filled with the confusion, and they rushed with one accord into the theater”. . . (v. 29)

Eventually the word gets to Paul, “Your name is being used over there and they are really mad!” In fact, verse 29 says they dragged a couple of his companions into this place that was normally the fighting arena for gladiators. Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions, were forced to face this mob that was now intensely angry—an uncontrollable scene of panic.

What would you do? Would you seriously consider getting out of there and fast? Not Paul. Paul’s at peace and he knows God is with him. Look at the next verse. A paraphrase of verse 30 would be, “Let me at ’em.”

“And when Paul wanted to go into the assembly [there it is], the disciples would not let him. Also some of the Asiarchs who were friends of his sent to him and repeatedly urged him not to venture into the theater” (vv. 30–31).

Paul’s friends were telling him, “Don’t go out there, Paul! Man, that’s bedlam out there. That’s suicide. That’s crazy.” Yet Paul is ready to walk into the scene.

Why? First of all, he’s courageous. He doesn’t want Gaius and Aristarchus taking the heat for him. Second, he has peace, and he knows God is with him, which allows a person to experience a degree of invincibility. When you live free of anxiety, there is an “envelope of invincibility” in your spirit. It surrounds you, and you don’t sense the intimidation of a mob or the fear of peril. It’s nothing short of magnificent. Peace is the ability to stay calm in spite of the panic of unpleasant circumstances.

Now, in case you choose to live like this and to lean with all your weight on the living Lord, I want to warn you ahead of time, people won’t understand. If you’re in a situation that calls for panic, yet you don’t panic, they’re going to want to know what’s wrong with you. Isn’t that interesting? Our mind-set is so panic-oriented that when you aren’t panicked, you have to explain what’s wrong with you. Amazing!

Are you facing an uncontrollable situation, an uncertainty? A situation that’s unpleasant, uncomfortable, and dissatisfying? The Lord does not want you to panic, but instead to lean on Him and His Word, like Paul did, as you glorify Him and He will give you the strength and the peace that passes all understanding as you walk with Him through the storm.

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I want the same courage and peace that Paul had. I know that I don’t have it on my own, but I do have it through Jesus. I want to be one of those Christians that is so close to You and whose faith is so unshakeable that no matter what happens: I don’t panic. I don’t retreat. I don’t hide. I don’t give up. I don’t waver when I am weak. I don’t cower when my circumstances take a turn for the worse. Instead, when I take hold of Your Righteous Right Hand I know that nothing can knock me down as I keep walking in faith. Father, I want to be so full of the knowledge of God and so confident in Your promises that I stand firm and strong and no matter what type of wind and waves beat against me, no matter how hard it gets to take the next step, no matter how long it last, I cannot and will not ever be stopped or pushed back. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Credit: The Holy Bible
Acts 19:23
Google Images

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